




*~ 




•>^ V 



'i>^' * filial ^ ^ * ^1 




JOHN EVELYN'S LIFE OF 
MRS. GODOLPHIN 




ci/l/Uj JodoC/iLWL 



THE LIFE OF 


MRS. GODOLPHIN 


BY JOHN EVELYN 


OF WOOTTON ESQ;, 


r 


Now firji publijhed and 

Edited by Samuel Lord Bifhop of Oxford 

Chancellor of the Moft Noble 

Order of the Garter 


*&r 


Disci 2ip 


fSfa 


LONDON 


WILLIAM PICKERING 


1847 




nu 









To His Grace 

EDWARD, 

Lord Archbifhop of York, Lord High 
Almoner, &c. 

My Lord Archbishop, 

sy^OUR Grace willy I trujl, allow 
me to infcribe the following 
pages to you. 

Tour unmerited kindnefs, Jhown 
to me on many other occajions, en- 
trujled them to me for publication ; 
and I well know that whiljl your 
Grace has felt that the light offuch 
an example as they exhibit ought not 
to be concealed, you rejoice to know 

that 



€ r 



vi 


Dedication. 




that you have lived to fee a Britijh 


■: 


Court which in purity of morals and 




domejlic virtue affords the mojl hleffed 




contraft to thofe evil days through 




which Margaret Godolphin was en- 




abled to live in the hrightnefs of a 




godly purity, and to die in peace. 




I have the honour to he y 




Tour Grace's obliged and 




affectionate 




S. Oxon : 




Cuddefdon Palace, 


1 


Feb. 1847. 




Introduction 




HE following Memoir 
was drawn up by the ac- 
complifhed John Evelyn, 
of Wootton, and intended by him 
for publication ; but it never re- 
ceived his final corrections. In a 
manufcript paper of memoranda 
left at Wootton in Mr. Evelyn's 
hand-writing, its title occurs in a 
lift of " Things I would write out 
faire and reform if I had the lei- 
fure." In his family, the MS. has 
remained until the prefent time, 
having paffed into the hands of Mr. 

Evelyn's 



viii 


Introduction. 




Evelyn's great - great - grandfon,* 
His Grace the Honourable Edward 
Venables-Vernon Harcourt, Lord 
Archbifhop of York, by whom it 
has been entrufted for publication 
to the care of the prefent Editor. 
The MS. which is written with 
extraordinary care and neatnefs, 
and apparently in Mr. Evelyn's 
own hand-writing, has been print- 
ed almoft as it ftands. The ori- 
ginal fpelling, which is not uni- 
form throughout the volume, has 
been preferved wherever its 
ftrangenefs did not throw fome 
obfcurity over the meaning of the 
paflage. A few words which here 
and there were needful to com- 
plete the fenfe have been conjec- 
turally inferted, but always in 
brackets. 


* See Table V. p. 265. 

The 



IntroduEiion, 



The text is illuftrated by two 
genealogical tables, a fhort fketch 
of the life of Sir George Blagge, 
and a valuable body of illustrative 
notes, which the Editor owes to 
the accurate and well-furnifhed 
pen of John Holmes, Efq. of the 
Britifh Mufeum, who has kindly 
contributed them to this volume. 

From the genealogical table it 
will be feen, that Mrs. Godolphin 
fprang from an ancient and ho- 
nourable houfe, and that her blood 
ftill flows in the veins of fome of 
the moft illuftrious of the nobility 
of England. Her hufband, who 
rofe to the higheft honours of the 
Hate, was early left a widower, 
and, furviving his wife thirty-four 
years, never remarried. He tranf- 
mitted to Francis, their only child, 
the earldom of Godolphin. This 

Francis, 



Introduction* 



Francis, 2nd Earl of Godolphin, 
married Henrietta Churchill, eldefT: 
daughter and co-heir of John 
Duke of Marlborough, to whom 
in her own right pafled the duke- 
dom of Marlborough. By the 
death without iffue of William 
Godolphin, firft, Vifcount Rialton, 
and afterwards, Marquis of Bland- 
ford, — their only fon who attained 
to manhood, — the honours of the 
houfe of Marlborough panned to 
the family of Spencer from the 
defcendants of Margaret Godol- 
phin. By the marriage of Mary 
the heirefs of the 2nd Lord Go- 
dolphin to Thomas the 4th Duke 
of Leeds, her name and blood 
paffed into the fucceffion of that 
illuftrious houfe. 

But it was not for gentle de- 
fcent or noble alliance that Mar- 
garet 



Introdu&ion. 



garet Godolphin was the moft re- 
markable or beft deferves remem- 
brance. Rather did fhe add dis- 
tinction to an ancient line, and 
tranfmit to all her pofterity that 
memory of her virtues and inhe- 
ritance of good deeds without 
which titles and hereditary rank 
are but fplendid contradictions and 
confpicuous blemifhes. 

Her lot was caft in the darkeft 
age of England's morals ; fhe 
lived in a court where flourifhed 
in their rankeft luxuriance all the 
vice and littlenefs, which the envy 
of detractors without, has ever 
loved to impute — and at times, 
thank God, with fuch utter falfe- 
hood — to courts in general. 

In the reign of Charles the Se- 
cond, that revulfion of feeling 
which affects nations juft as it 

does 



XI 



xii IntroduElion. 



does individuals had plunged into 
diffipation all ranks on their efcape 
from the narrow aufterities and i 
gloomy fournefs of puritanifm. |i 
The court, as was natural, fhared 
to the full in thefe new excefles of 
an unreftrained indulgence ; whilft 
many other influences led to its 
wider corruption. The foreign 
habits contracted in their banifh- 
ment by the returning courtiers 
were ill fuited to the natural gra- 
vity of Englifh manners, and in- 
troduced at once a wide-fpread 
licentioufnefs. The perfonal cha- 
racter, moreover of the King help- 
ed on the general corruption. Gay, 
popular, and witty, with a tem- 
per nothing could crofs, and an 
affability nothing could reprefs, he 
was thoroughly fenfual, felfifh, 
and depraved — vice in him was 

made 



IntroduElion. 



made fo attractive by the wit and 
gaiety with which it was tricked 
out, that its utmoft groflhefs feem- 
ed for the time rather to win than 
to repulfe beholders. Around the 
King chartered a band of congenial 
fpirits, a galaxy of corruption, who 
fpread the pollution upon every 
fide. The names of Buckingham 
and Rochefter, of Etheridge, Lyt- 
telton, and Sedley, ftill maintain a 
bad preeminence in the annals of 
Englifh vice. As far as the common 
eye could reach there was little to 
refift the evil. The Duke of York, 
the next heir to the throne, a cold- 
hearted libertine, fhared the vices 
of the King, without the poor 
glofs of his focial attractions. It 
was the day of England's deepeft 
degradation, when in private life 
morality was a reproach, truth de- 
parted 



Xlll 



XIV 



IntroduElion* 



parted, and religion a jeft ; when [ 
in affairs of ftate French gold and 
foreign influence had corrupted 
and fubdued the throned monarch, 
and England's King was daily 
lofing what had been gained by 
the Protector of the Common- 
wealth. 

It was a day of heartlefs merri- 
ment, upon which fell fuddenly a 
night of blacknefs, which fwal- 
lowed up its crew of godlefs revel- 
lers. A picture more deeply tra- 
gical than that thus Amply fketch- 
ed by Mr. Evelyn at the end, of 
Charles himfelf, can fcarcely be 
conceived. " I can never forget 
the inexpreflible luxury and pro- 
phanenefs, gaming and all difTo- 
lutenefs, and as it were total for- 
getfulnefs of God (it being Sunday 
evening) which this day fe'nnight 

I was 



Introduction* 



I was witnefs of, the King fitting 
and toying with his concubines, 
Portfmouth, Cleaveland, and Ma- 
zarine, &c. a French boy Ting- 
ing love fongs in that glorious 
gallery, whilft about 20 of the 
great courtiers and other diffolute 
perfons were at Baffet round a 
large table, a bank of at leaft 2000 
in gold before them, upon which 
two gentlemen who were with 
me made reflexions with aftonifh- 
ment. Six days after was all in 
the duft." 

Evelyns Diary, Feb. 1684-5. 

In the midft of fuch a general 
reign of wickednefs, it is moft re- 
frefhing to the wearied fpirit to 
find by clofer fearch fome living 
witnerTes for truth and holinefs — 

fome 



XV 



xvx 



Introduction , 



fome who, through God's Grace, 
parTed at His call their vexed days 
amongft the orgies of that crew, 
as untainted by its evils, as is the 
clear funbeam by the corruption 
of a loathfome atmoiphere. Such 
an one was Margaret Godolphin, 
whom neither the licenfe of thofe 
evil days, nor the fcandal and de- 
traction with which they abound- 
ed, ever touched in fpirit or in re- 
putation. Verily fhe walked in 
the flames of " the fiery furnace 
and felt no hurt, neither did the 
fmell of fire pafs upon her." 

In what ftrength fhe lived this 
life the following pages will de- 
clare. They will fhew that ever 
by her fide, converging with her 
fpirit through its living faith, there 
was a fourth form like unto the 
Son of God. And one thing for 

our 



IntroduBion. 



our inflruction and encouragement 
may here be fpecially noted : that 
in that day of reproach fhe was a 
true daughter of the Church of 
England. Puritanifm did not con- 
tract her foul into morofenefs ; nor 
did fhe go to Rome to learn the 
habits of devotion. In the train- 
ing of our own Church fhe found 
enough of God's teaching to in- 
ftruct her foul ; in its leffons fhe 
found a rule of holy felf-denying 
obedience ; in its prayers a practice 
of devotion ; in its body a fellow- 
ship with faints ; in its ordinances 
a true communion with her God 
and Saviour ; which were able to 
maintain in fimple, unaffected pu- 
rity her faith at court, in dutiful, 
active love her married life ; which 
fufficed to crown her hours of bitter 
anguifh and untimely death with a 

joyful 



XVll 



XV111 



Introdu&ion. 



joyful refignation and affured wait- 
ing for her crown. 

Such is the fketch prefented in 
thefe pages to the reader. May 
he in a better day learn in fecret, 
for himfelf, thofe leffons of hea- 
venly wifdom which adorned the 
life and glorified the death of Mar- 
garet Godolphin. 





The Life of Mrs. 
Godolphin. 

Vn Dieu "^>^ vn Amy. 

Madam, 

AM not vnmindfull of what 
your Ladyfhip lately fug- 
geiled to me concerning that 
blefTed Saint now in heaven. Doe you 
beleive I need be incited to preferve 
the memory of one whofe Image is 
foe deeply printed in my heart ? Butt 
you would have a more permanent 
Record of her perfections, and foe 
would I ; not onely for the veneration 
wee beare her precious Ames, butt for 

the 



mm 



The Life of 



the good of thofe who, emulous of her 
vertues, would purfue the Inftance of 
it, in this, or perhapps any age before 
it. 'Tis certaine the materialls I have 
by me would furnifh one who were 
Mafter of a Stile becomeing foe admi- 
rable a Subject ; and wifh'd I have, a 
thoufand tymes, the perfon in the world 
who knew her bed, and moil me loved, 
would give vs the picture his pencill 
could beft delineat : if fuch an Artift as 
he is decline the vndertakeing, for fear 
that even with all his fkill he mould not 
reach the orriginall, how farr fhort am 
I like to fall, who cannot pretend to 
the meaneft of his Talents. But as in- 
dignation (they fay) fometymes creats 
a poem where there is no naturall dif- 
pofition in the compofer ; foe a mighty 
obligation, a holy freindfhipp, and your 
Ladyfhipp's comands, irrefiftibly pre- 
vaile with me rather to hazard the cen- 
fure of my Imperfections, then to dif- 
obey you, or fuffer thofe precious me- 
mory es 



Mrs. Godolphin. 



moryes to be loft which deferve con- 
fecration to Eternity : 'tis then the leaft 
and laft fervice I can exprefs to a dye- 
ing freind for whome I fhould not have 
refufed even to dye my felfe. Butt, 
Madam, you will not expect I mould 
be foe exactly particular in the minuter 
circumftances of her birth and what paft 
in her Infancy and more tender years, 
becaufe, [though] I have fometimes told 
her pleafantly I would write her life, 
when God knowes I little thought of 
furviveing her whome often I have 
wifhed might be att the clofeingof myne 
owne Eyes, I had not the honor of being 
acquainted with her till the laft feaven 
years of her life ; I fay the little expec- 
tation I had of erecting to her a monu- 
ment of this nature, made me not foe 
Induftrious to Informe myfelfe of what 
was paft as I fhould have beene, for I 
am perfwaded that from the begining 
fomething of exterordnary remarkeable 
was all along confpicuous in her ; nor 

was 



4 



The Life of 



was it poffible that my admiration of 
her vertues, when I came to know her, 
mould not have prompted me to en- 
quire concerneing many particulars of 
her life before I knew her ; fomething 
I learned cafually converfing with her, 
diverfe things from the papers comu- 
nicated to me iince her deceafe, and 
from what your Ladyfhipp has In- 
formed me ; from whome I might de- 
rive ample matter to furnifh vpon this 
fubjedt ; butt, as I faid, it would be- 
come a Headier hand, and the penn of 
an Angells wing to defcribe the life of 
a Saint, who is now amongft thofe II- 
luftrious orders : butt, Madam, 'tis your 
peremptorye Comand, I mould fett 
downe what I know, and how diffident 
foever I ought to be of acquitting my 
felfe as I mould, yett fince 'tis hardly 
poffible to fay any thing foe indiffe- 
rently, butt muft raife an Emulation in 
thofe that read or hear of it to Imitate her 
vertues, [I enter] vpon the adventure. 

Where 



! 



• 



Mrs. Godolphin. 



Where this excellent Creature was 
borne, I have learned from you ; when, 
from her felfe; namely, as I remember, 
on the Second of Auguft, in the year 
1652 ; a month and a year never to be 
forgotten by me without a mixture of 
different paffions, for then had I born 
that Child whofe early hopes you have 
often heard me deplore the lois of, nor 
doe I yett remember him without emo- 
tion. 

'Tis not to informe your Ladyfhipp 
of a thing you doe not know, butt for 
methods fake that I fpeake fomething of 
the family of this Lady, which was very 
honorable ; her father was Collonell Tho- 
mas Blagge, a Gent, of an ancient Suf- 
folke family, and a perfon of foe exter- 
ordnary witt and fignall Loyalty, as not 
only made him efteemed by that bleffed 
Martyr Charles the Firft, being made 
Groome of his Bedd Chamber, butt to 

be 



The Life of 



be intruded with one of his principall 
Garrifons, namely that of Wallingford, 
dureing the late rebellion. How wor- 
thyly he acquitted himfelefe of that 
charge in that vnhappy warr is vpon 
another monumentall Record. Hee 
lived to fee his Majeftye who now 
raignes reftored to his Kingdomes and 
to dye in his favour. Mrs. Blagge his 
Lady (Mother to our Saint) was a wo- 
man foe eminent in all the vertues and 
perfections of her fex, that it were hard 
to fay whether were fuperior her Beau- 
ty, Witt, or Piety ; for, as I have heard f 
from thofe who intimately knew her, 
me was in all thefe very like her daugh- 
ter, and then I am fure there could no- 
thing be added to render her a moft 
admirable per fon. The iniquityeof the ! [ 
tymes had accquainted her with forrow ' 
enough to have diffracted her, being 
left butt in difficult circumftances, yett 
me lived to difcharge all her hufbands 
engagements that were very confider- 

able 



Mrs. Godolphin, 



able, and to provide an honourable 
competency for noe lefs then 3 young 
daughters, whereof this was the young- 
eft. 

Itt was by this excellent mother that 
this rare child was as early inftituted in 
the fear of God as fhe could fpeake : 
and as her exterordnary difcernment 
foone advanced to a great and early 
fence of Religion, foe fhe brought her 
to be confirmed by the now Lord Bi- 
fhopp of Ely, Doctor Gunning, who 
itt appeares was foe furprized att thofe 
early Graces he difcovered in her, that 
he thought fitt fhe mould be admitted 
to the holy Sacrament when fhe was 
hardly Eleaven years of Age : from that 
moment forwards, young and fpright- 
full as fhe was, fhe was obferved to live 
with great circumfpe&ion, prefcribeing 
to herfelfe a conftant method of devo- 
tion, and certaine dayes of abftinence, 
that fhe might the better vacate to holy 

dutyes 



7 



The Life of 



dutyes and gaine that maftery over her 
appetite, which, with all other paffions, 
me had ftrangely fubdued to my often 
admiration. Butt I mould have told 
your Ladyfhipp, though I remember 
not on what occafion, me went with 
the old Dutchefs of Richmond into 
France^ who confign'd her to the care 
of the late Countefs of Guilford, Groome 
of theStoole to the late Queens Mother, 
with whome me continued till her Ma- 
jeftye came into England: And this 
minds me of what I have heard, that 
being frequently tempted by that By- 
gott profelitefTe to goe to MafTe and 
be a papift, our young Saint would not 
only not be perfwaded to it, but avert- 
ed her better faith with fuch readinefs 
and conftancy, (as according to the ar- 
gument of that keen Religion) caufed 
her to be rudely treated and menaced 
by the Countefs ; foe as me was be- 
come a ConfefTor and almoft a Martyr . 
before me was 7 years old. This paf- 

fage 






Mrs. Godolphin. 



fage I have from her felfe and fhe would 
relate it with pretty circumftances : but 
long ftaid fhe not in France ; when 
being returned to her mother, me lived 
with her fometyme in London, till the 
raigneingpeflilence of Sixty-five breake- 
ing out, every body retireing into the 
Country, fhe accompanyed her into 
Suffolke amongft her fathers Relations 
there, and pafl the Recefs with foe 
much order and fatisfaclion, that with 
exterordnary regrett fhe was taken no- 
tice of to quitt it; when being demand- 
ed by the then Dutchefs of Yorke for 
a Maid of Honour, her Mother was 
prevailed with to place her little Daugh- 
ter att Court. This was indeed a fur- 
prizeing change of Aire, and a perilous 
Climate, for one foe very young as fhe, 
and fcarcely yett attained to the twelvth 
year of her age : butt by how much 
more the danger foe much greater the 
virtue and difcretion which not only 
preferved her fleady in that giddy Sta- 
tion, 



IO 



The Life of 



tion, but foe improv'd, that the exam- 
ple of this little Saint influenced not 
onely her honourable companions, butt 
fome who were advanc'd in yeares be- 
fore her, and of the moft illuftrious 
quality. What ! mall I fay, me like a 
young Apoftlefs began to plant Reli- 
gion in that barren Soyle ? Arethufa 
pafPd thro' all thofe turbulent waters 
without foe much as the leaft ftaine or 
tincture in her Chriflall, with her Piety 
grew vp her Witt, which was foe fpark- 
ling, accompanyed with a Judgment 
and Eloquence foe exterordnary, a 
Beauty and Ay re foe charmeing and 
lovely, in a word, an Addrefs foe vniver- 
fally takeing, that after few years, the 
Court never faw or had {ttn fuch a 
Conftellation of perfections amongft all 
their fplendid Circles. Nor did this, 
nor the admiration it created, the Elo- 
gies fhe every day received, and appli- 
cation of the greater!: perfons, at all elate 
her ; fhe was ftill the fame, allwayes in 

perfect 



Mrs. Godolphin. 



perfect good humour, allwayes humble, 
allwayes Religious to exactnefs. Itt 
rendred her not a whitt morofs, tho' 
fometymes more ferious, cafting ftill 
| about how me might continue the 
houres of publique and private devo- 
tion and other exercifes of piety, to 
comply with her duty and attendance 
on her Royall Miftrefs without Angu- 
larity or Reproach. 

Thus pafPd me her tyme in that 
Court till the Dutchefs dyed, dureing 
whofe Sicknefs, accompanyed (as it 
was) with many vncomfortable circum- 
ftances, fhe waited and attended with 
an exterordnary fedulity, and as fhe has 
fometymes told me, when few of the 
reft were able to endure the fatigue : 
and therefore here, before I proceed, I 
cannot but take notice of thofe holy 
and exterordnary reflections fhe made 
vpon this occafion, as I find them 
amongft other loofe papers vnder her 

owne 



1 1 



i2 The Life of 



owne faire hand, when compareing her - 
dear Mothers ficknefs and other freinds r 
departure with that of the Dutchefs, 
thus me writes. 

cc Mrs. N. dead, was an example of |j 
patience vnder a burthen that was well 
nigh vnfupportable ; often fhe received 
the blefTed Sacrament, often me prayed 
and was very much refign'd, not fur- \ 
prized nor in confufion, but perceive- 
ing her right decay, calling vpon God 
after many holy and pious difcourfes 
and exhortations, fhe calmely bidd her 
freinds farewell. 

f c A poore woman dead, worne to 
fkyn and bones with a confumption, fhe 
made noe Complaints, but trufted in \ 
God, and that what he thought fitt was 
beft, and to him refign'd her foule. A 
poore creature that had been a great jj 
flnner, died in mifTerable paines, in ex- 
ceeding terror; God was gracious to i 

her, 



Mrs. Godolphin. 



her, fhe was patient, very devout, fhe was 
releafed in prayer. My mother dead, 
at firft furprized, and very unwilling ; 
me was afterwards refign'd, received 
often, prayed much, had holy things 
read to her, delighted in heavenly dif- 
courfe, defired to be diflblv'd and be 
with Chrift, ended her life chearfully, 
and without paine, left her family in 
order and was much lamented. 

"The D - - dead, a princefs ho- 
noured in power, had much witt, much 
mony, much efteeme ; me was full of 
vnfpeakable tortur, and died (poore 
creature) in doubt of her Religion, 
without the Sacrament, or divine by 
her, like a poore wretch ; none remem- 
bred her after one weeke, none forry 
for her ; fhe was toft and flung about, 
and every one did what they would 
with that ftately carcafe. What is this 
world, what is greatnefs, what to be ef- 
teemed, or thought a witt? Wee fhall 

all 



13 



i4 The Life of 



all be ftript without fence or remem-it 
brance. But God, if wee ferve him in [1 
our health, will give vs patience in our it 
Sicknefs." 

I repeate the inflance as fett downe 
in her diary e, to mew how early {he; 
made thefe vfefull and pious Recollec- 
tions, for me mufT. needs be then very >; 
young, and att an age att leaf! wheni; 
very few of her fex, and in her circum4 
fiances, much concerne themfelves with 
thefe mortifyeing reflections. Butt, as^ 
I have often heard her fay, me loved I 
to be att funeralls, and in the houfe oO 
mourning, foe being of the moft com-i 
paffionate nature in the world, me was 
a conftant vifiter of the nek and of peo- 
ple in diftrefs. But, to proceed; me had i i 
not been above two yeares att Court! 
before her virtue, beauty, and witt' 
made her be looked vpon as a littlef 
miracle ; and indeed there were fome ' 
addreffes made her of the greater! per- 

fons 



Mrs. Godolphin, 



fons, not from the attraction of affected 
Charmes, for me was ever, att that 
fprightfull and free age, feverely care- 
full how me might give the leaft coun- 
tenance to that liberty which the Gal- 
lants there doe vfually affume of talk- 
ing with lefs referve ; nor did this ec- 
clipfe her pretty humour, which was 
chearfull and eafy amongft thofe me 
thought worthy her converfation. Itt is 
not to be difcribed (for it was tho' natu- 
rall, in her zmmitable) with what Grace, 
ready and folid vnderftanding, me would 
difcourfe. Nothing that me conceived 
could be better expreffed, and when me 
was fometymes provok'd to Railly, 
there was nothing in the world foe 
pleafant, and inoffenfively diverting, 
(mall I fay) or inftructive ; for me ever 
mingl'd her freer! entertainments with 
fomething which tended to ferious, and 
did it in fuch a manner, as allwayes left 
fome impreffions exterordnary even 
vpon thofe who came perhapps with in- 
clinations 



l 5 



i6 



The Life of 



clinations to pervert the moft harmelefs ) 
converfations ; foe as it was impoffible 
for any to introduce a fyllable which 
did not comply with the ftri&eft rules 
of decency. 

But I mail not be foe well able tot 
defcribe what I mould fay vpon this^ 
occasion, as by giveing your Ladymipp' 
the meafures which me prefcrib'd her- 
felfe for the government of her Actions, 1 
when me was of duty to attend vpon 
her Majeftye in publique, and when it 
was not only imporlible, but vnbecome- 
ing to entertaine thofe who compofedi 
the Royall Circle, and were perfons o{ 
the moft illuftrious qualitye, withoutji 
cenfure and rudenefs. Behold then^: 
Madam, what I find written in hat 
owne hands againe, and that might be 
a coppy for all that fucceed her in that*! 
honourable Station to tranfcribe and) 
imitate it ; for me kept not onely f. 
moft accurate account of all her ac- 
tions. 



Mrs. Godolphin, 



tions, butt did likewife regifter her 
ferious purpofes and refolutions, the 
better to confirme and fix them, foe 
as they were not hafiy fitts of zeale and 
fudden tranfports, but follemne and de- 
liberate ; and this I rather chufe to doe 
alfoe in her owne very words and me- 
thod, innocent, naturall, and unarTect- 
Jed. 

cc My life, by God's Grace, without 
which I can doe nothing, 

" I muft, till Lent, rife att halfe an 
houre after eight a clock ; whilft put- 
ting on morning cloathes, fay the pray- 
er for Death and the Te Deum : then 
\ prefently to my prayers, and foe either 
drefs my felfe or goe to Church prayers. 
In drerTing, I muft confider how little 
it iignifyes to the faveing of my foule, 
and how foolifh 'tis to be angry about 
a thing fo vnneceffary. Confider what 
pur Saviour fuffered. — O Lord, affift 
me. 

cc When 



*7 



The Life of 



cc When I goe into the withdrawing 
roome, lett me conrlder what my call- 
ing is : to entertaine the Ladys, not to I 1 
talke foolifhly to Men, more efpecially ' 
the King ; lett me confider, if a Tray- 
tor be hatefull, me that betrayes the 
foule of one is much worfe ; — the danger, 
the fin of it. Then without pretend- 
ing to witt, how quiet and pleafant a 
thing it is to be filent, or if I doe fpeake, 
that it be to the Glory of God. — Lord, ' 
affift me. 

cc Att Church lett me mind in what 
place I am ; what about to afk, even 
the falvation of my foule ; to whome I i 
fpeak, — to the God that made me, re- , 
deemed and fanctifyed me, and can yett (1 
cutt me off when he pleafes. — O Lord, |" 
affift me. 

cc When I goe to my Lady Fal- 
mouths, I ought to take paines with her \ 

about 



Mrs. Godolphin. 



about her Religion, or elfe I am not her 
freind; to mew example by calmnefs in 
difpute, in never fpeaking ill of anybody 
to her, butt excufeing them rather. 

" Goe to the Queene all way es att 
nine, and then read that place concern- 
ing the drawing roome, and lett my 
man waite for me to bring me word 
before publique prayers begin. If I 
find me dynes late, come downe, pray 
and read, namely, that concerning pray- 
er ; and think why I read, to benefitt 
my foule, pafs my tyme well, and im- 
prove my vnderftanding. — O Lord, af- 
fift me. 

" Be fure ftill to read that for the 
drawing roome in the privy chamber, 
or prefence, or other place before pray- 
ers, and foe againe into the drawing 
room for an hour or foe ; and then Hipp 
to my chamber and divert myfelfe in 
reading fome pretty booke, becaufe the 

Queen 



J 9 



20 



The Life of 



Queen does not require my waiteing ; 
after this to fupper, which muft not be 
much if I have dyned well ; and att 
neither meale to eate above two dimes, 
becaufe temperance is beft both for' 1 
foule and body ; then goe vpp to the \ 
Queen, haveing before read, and well f 
thought of what you have written. ■ 
Amen. 

[ 

"Sett not vp above halfe an hour? 
after eleaven att moft ; and as you vn- 
drefs, repeate that prayer againe ; buttf 
before, confider that you are perhapps 
goeing to fleepe your laft; being inbedd 
repeate your hymne foftly, ere you 
turne to fleepe. 



cc If I awake in the night lett me fay 1 
that (for which fhe had collected many 
excellent parTages, as I find among her; 
papers,) pfalm. Lord, affift me. 



In the morning, wakeing, vfe a fhort 

devotion, 



Mrs. Godolphin. 



devotion, and then as foone as ever you 
awake, rife imediately to praife him. 
The Lord affift me." 

In another place of the fame Diarye, 
! about which tyme I fuppofe there was 
jfome play to be acted by the maids of 
! honour. — cc Now as to pleafure, they are 
fpeaking of playes and laughing att de- 
vout people ; well, I will laugh att my- 
felfe for my impertinencyes, that by de- 
crees I may come to wonder why any 
body does like me ; and divert the dif- 
courfe; and talke of God and moralitye : 
avoid thofe people when I come into 
the drawing roome, efpecially among 
great perfons to divert them ; becaufe 
noe raillary allmoft can be innocent : 
goe not to the Dutchefs of Monmouth 
above once a weeke, except when wee 
drefs to rehearfe, and then carry a booke 
along with me to read when I don't 
ad, and foe come away before fupper. 

" Talke 



21 



22 



The Life of 



<c Talke little when you are there ; 
if they fpeak of any body I can't com- 
mend, hold my peace, what jeft foever 
they make ; be fure never to talk to' 
the King; when they fpeak filthyly,! 
tho' I be laugh'd att, looke grave, re- 
membring that of Micha, there will a 
tyme come when the Lord will bind vp 
his Jewells. Never meddle with othersp 
buifnefs, nor hardly afk a queftion ; talk, 
not {lightly of religion. If you fpeakq, 
any thing they like, fay 'tis borrowed, 
and be humble when commended. Be-, 
fore I fpeake, Lord, aflift me ; when I, 
pray, Lord, heare me ; when I am; 
praifed, God, humble me ; may thi, 
clock, the candle, every thing I fee, in-j 
ftrucl: me ; Lord cleanfe my hands, letfc 
my feete tread thy pathes. Is any body, 
laughed att, fay it may be my cafe ; is 
any in trouble, fay, c Lord, in juftice Ij; 
deferve it; butt thou art all mercy; 
make me thankfull.' OnFeftivall evens 
I refflve to dyne att home, and to re- 
peat 



Mrs. Godolphin. 



peat all the pfalmes I know by heart," 
||of which me had almoft the whole pfal- 
1 ter,) cc referveing my reading or part of 
( my prayers till night; and fupp with 
! bread and beere only, 

cc On Frydayes and Wednefdaies 
Pie eat nothing till after evening prayer ; 
and foe come downe as foone as ever 
the Queene has dyned, without goeing 
to vifitt, till my owne prayers are finifh- 
ed. 

"The fame will I obferve the day 
before I receive ; vfe to pray on thofe 
dayes by daylight ; and early on Sun- 
dayes, and think of no diverfion till after 
bvening prayer; to dyne abroad as 
little as poffible, but performe my con- 
J ftant duty to God and the Queene. 
Aflift me, O Lord ; Amen. 

fc Sing Pfalmes now and then out of 
jSundayes. Endeavour to begg with 

teares 



23 



24 



The Life of 



teares what you afke, and O lett them |{ 
be, O Lord, my onely pleafure. There f 
are 3 Sundayes to come from this Sa- 
turday night; pray one day earneftly'tj 
to God for love, and againft takeing his f 
name in vaine, pray againft intempe-n 
ranee and fenfuality ; and the other day " 
for meekenefs, and againft envy ; another 
for fear and alliance, and againft de-J 
traction. 

j 

cc I have vowed, if it be poflible, not, 
to fett vpp paft ten a clock ; therefore, h 
before you engage in company, goe 
downe and read this, and be as much) 
alone as you can ; and when you arel 
abroad talke to men as little as may be I 
carry your prayer booke in your pock-! 
ett, or any thing that may decently' 
keepe you from converfeing with men/ 

Behold what this blefTed faint hac 
promifcuoufly fett downe in her diary 
att feverall tymes, as refolutions made 

vpon 



Mrs. Godolphiru 25 



vpon feverall occafions, all of them 
tending to the inftitution of her life in 
a courfe of exterordnary and early piety, 
for fhe was now very young, and I, 
therefore, give them your Ladyfhipp 
in her owne method, without method 
or ftudied connexion : nor are thefe the 
fir ft I have feene of hers in this nature. 
She did vpon feverall occurrences re- 
cord her purpofes, and what me foe re- 
folved fhe punctually perform'd. Butt 

jwith what exterordnary caution fhe 
govern'd herfelf att Court ; how holy, 
innocent, inftructive, and vfefull, her 
intire converfation was ; how much fhe 
improved in virtue, and made devotion 
the pleafure as well as imployment of 
her tyme, I need not tell your Lady- 
fhipp : nor vfed fhe to trick and drefs 
herfelfe vpp, tho' in foe fplendid and 
vaine a theater, to the purpofes of vanity, 

j or to be fine and ador'd : fhe was ex- 
treamly fhy of talking among the gal- 
lants and young men, to pafs away the 

tedioufnefs 



26 



The Life of 






tedioufnefs of attendance ; nor made 
me impertinent vifitts ; for me had fill'd j 
vp the whole day, and deftin'd almoft j 
every minute of it to exercife. When, 
therefore, I have fum'd vp all, and con- 
fider'd well how much of it all I have 
feene, and how with it all me pre- \ 
ferved the lively and elegant converfa- 
tion which rendered her foe infinitely 
agreeable to all that knew her, I can- 
not butt redouble my admiration and 
efpecially how often and fenfible me 
has difcourfed with me concerning the 
wonderfull fatisfa&ion fhe tooke in the 
dutyes of Religion. 

Butt here, before I proceed any fur- 
ther, the method of tyme, and other y 
circumftances require me to fay fbme-ij 
thing how I came to be firft: acquainted 
with this excellent creature, and by 
what tyes of facred freindfhipp I find 
my felfe foe highly obliged to celebrate 
her memory ; and this I mail doe th 

rather 



Mrs. Godolphin. 



rather becaufe the Lord has foe great 
a part in itt, that without ingratitude, 
I may not pafs it over ; nor is it with- 
out frefh delight that I frill call to mind 
thofe innocent dayes, and the fweet 
converfation which fifteene yeares iince 
wee enjoyed, that our family es being 
neare to one another, gave vs the 
happynefs to be knowne to the moft 
obligeing neighbour in the world ; from 
foe long a date it is that my wife com- 
putes her firft haveing had the blerling 
of begining an acquaintance with Mrs. 
Blagge, whome your mother and lifter 
fometimes kindly brought with them 
to our poore villa : butt few of thofe 
civilityes of cafuall or refpectfull viiitts 
had paffed, before my wife had difco- 
veredfuch exterordnary charmes, markes 
of virtue and difcretion in her conver- 
fation, that me would often reprove the 
diffidence I was wont to exprefs, when 
they would fometymesdifcourfe of Piety 
and Religion, eminent among the Court 

Ladyes, 



2 7 



28 



The Life of 



Ladyes; and vpon which fubject your 
Ladyfhipp would frequently joine with 
my wife in conflict againft me, to the 
reproach of my Morofenefs, and Infide- 
delity, efpecially of a thing foe airy [ 
and foe gay as fome reprefented this 
miracle to me. And in this Error I had 
certainly perfifted, notwithstanding I * 
had fometymes taken notice of her, ji 
both att my houfe and att Church, to J. 
be a very agreeable Lady ; butt that 
fhe or any body elfe in her Court cir- ) 
cumftances, was principPd with fuch 
a folid Virtue, and did cultivate it to i; 
that degree, I was brought to beleive I 
with foe much difficulty, that it was al- ! 
mod: Seaven yeares before your Lady- 
fhipp could convince me. You had, 
indeed, a Sifter there, whofe perfec- 
tions would no longer fufTer me to con- 
tinue alltogeather in this falfe perfwa- 
fion ; butt to beleive there were many 
Saints in that Country I was not much 
inclined; nor likely had chang'd that 

opinion 



Mrs. Godolphin 



opinion, if an Imployment had not of 
neceflity fometymes obliged me to come 
from my Recefs, when I as little af- 
fected to be knowne and to multiply ac- 
quaintance of that fex as another man. 
I minded my Bookes and my Garden, 
and the Circle was bigg enough for 
me. I afpir'd to no offices, noe titles, 
no favours att Court, and really was 
hardly knowne to thofe next neigh- 
bours of mine, whome I had lived all- 
moft twenty years by : butt the Coun- 
try where this Lady lived I had much 
more averfion to, for the reafons you 
may guefs, and which made her quitt 
it affoone as me could. 'Twas, I fay, 
about a year that me had fometymes 
beene att my houfe, when your Lady- 
fhipp came to hector me out of my 
contracted humour, but I continually 
return'd to it ; and when, by Chance, 
you att any tyme nam'd her, I fancied 
her fome airy thing, that had more 
Witt than Difcretion; till vpon your 

Ladyfhipp 



29 



3° 



The Life of 



Ladyfhipp and my Wifes more fe- 
verely reproaching me for being fcarcely 
civill to a Companion of your excel- \ 
lent Sifters, for whome I had much ef- 
teeme, (though butt little acquainted) 
I found my felfe oblig'd, in good man-i 1 
ners, to waite vpon her when I came 
to Whitehall. I fpeake of the Lady, f 
your Sifter, then Maid of Honour ; for 
I would object, that there was a Witt 
with her whome I feared, and that Ii 
was the moft unfitt perfon in the world 
for the entertainments of the Antij- 
Chamber, and the little Spiritts that 
dwell in Fairy Land. You affured me 1 
fhe was humble and Religious, and ex-J ] 
treamly ferious, and that [if] I would be-f 
leive you, I fhould not be difpleafed with' 1 
the adventure ; for tho' fhe had abun- 1 
dance of Witt, and rallied fhrewdly, 
yett fhe was civill and difcreete, and- 
exterordnary obligeing. Vpon this, I 
made your Sifter a vifltt, and furprized I 
Mrs. Blagge, who it feems that day 

was 



Mrs. Godolphin, 



was drefPd for Audience and Cere- 
mony, vpon which I would have with- 
drawne, butt her Chamber fellow ftaid 
jme, and I was not vnwilling to hear 
her talke ; butt I fince came to under- 
I ftand, it was a day of folemn devotion 
I with her, and me excufed her felfe, faid 
little, and look'd very humble, which 
I liked, and foe for this tyme, tooke 
my leave. 

I concluded by this me might not be 
that pert Lady I had fancyed ; and me 
afterwards fpake curteoufly to me, 
cafually meeting her in the houfe, and 
that me hoped me had not frighted me 
from her apartment. I came once or 
twice after this with my wife to vifitt 
your Sifter ; when this Lady keepeing 
her Chamber caufed me one day to 
dyne with her, which I tooke kindly, 
jbecaufe 'twas without affectation and 
} with no danger of furfeiting. Butt her 
ijconverfation was a treat, and I began 

to 



3 1 



.!- 



3 2 



The Life of 



to admire her temperance, and tooke 
efpeciall notice, that however wide orj: 
indifferent the fubject of our difcourfe 
was amongft the reft, fhe would all way es 
divert it to fome Religious conclufion ; \ 
and foe temper and feafon her Replyes, \ 
as fhew'd a gratious heart, and that fhe 
had a mind wholly taken vp with hea- ji 
venly thoughts. 

After this introduction fhe conjur'dj!' 
me not to baulk her holy Cell, and I 
was not a little pleafed to be foe fo- 
lemnly diverted and find my felfe mif-;: 
taken, that foe young, foe elegant, fbe< 
charming a Witt and Beauty mould c 
preferve foe much Virtue in a place *c 
where it neither naturally grew nor: 
much was cultivated ; for with all thefe' 
perfections, Vivacitye and Apprehen-< 
tion beyond what I could expect, fhe, 
feemed vnconcerned and fteady, could 
endure to be ferious, and gently reprove: 
my Moroffnefs, and was greatly de- 
vout, 



Mrs. Godolphin. 



I vouty which putt me out of all feare of 
jher Railary, and made me looke vpon 
her with exterordnary refpect. Thus 
i every vifitt abated of my prejudice: her 
sjdifcourfes were not trifleing and effe- 
Iminate, butt full of Virtue and mate- 
jriall, and of a moft tender regard to 
Religion. Butt itt was after your Lady- 
fhipps Mother was gone into Lincoln- 
fheir, and had carryed away her com- 
panion, that me told me, " now Mrs. 
Howard is gone, me beleived me mould 
have little of my Company ; butt if I 
were not weary of her, and would be 
foe charitable, me mould take it kindly 
that I came often to her." This was a 
Compliment you know I needed not, 
for by this tyme I was foe well affured 
5 of her Inclinacion to Goodnefs, that me 
could not imagine me capable of neg- 
lecting a perfon from whofe converfa- 
tion I never return'd butt with advan- 
tage. I foone perceived what touched 
me to the heart, and that was her foule ; 

and 



33 



34 



The Life of 



and how her Inclinacions pointed to 
God ; that her difcourfes, defignes, and 
actions tended allwayes thither : and 
other obfervations which I made to my 
exterordnary wonder and admiracion. i 
This Creature (would I fay to my 
felfe) loves God; 'tis a thoufand pittyes a 
butt me mould perfift ; what a new thing f 
is this, I think Paulina and Euftoch- 
ius are come from Bethlehem to White- 
hall ; and from this moment I began to fi 
looke vpon her as facred, and to blefs 
God for the graces which fhoone in her. f 
I dayly prayed for her as me had en- 
joined me, and fhe began to open fome 
of her holy thoughts to me ; and I faw f 
a flagrant devotion, and that fhe hadj 
totally refigned herfelfe to God ; and j' 
with thefe Incentiues, who. that had' 
any fence of Religion, could forbeare" 
to vallue her exceedingly ? 

Itt was not long after this, that being ; 
one day to vifitt her, fhe feem'd to me 

more 



Mrs. Godolphin, 



35 



more thoughtfull than ordinary. I afked 
! her, what made her looke foe folemnly. 
| She told me, me had never a freind in 
1 the world. Noe, faid I, thats impof- 
fible ; I beleive no body has more ; for 
I all that know you muft love you, and 
' thofe that love you are continually your 
freinds. Butt I, who well knew where 
her heart att that tyme was, afked her 
what me efteemed a certaine Gentle- 
man beyond the Seas. Alas, fays me, 
he is very ill, and that makes me very 
much concerned ; butt I doe not fpeake 
to you of him, whome God will I hope 
be gratious to, but I would have a 
Freind. In that name is a great deale 
more then I can exprefs, a faithfull 
freind, whome I might truft with all 
that I have, and God knows, that is 
butt little ; for him whome you meane 
does not care to meddle with my con- 
cerns, nor would I give him the trou- 
ble. This, to my remembrance, were 
her very expreffions to me. Madam, 

faid 



36 



The Life of 



faid I, doe you fpeake this to me, as if 
I were capable of ferving you in any 
thing confiderable ? I beleive you the 
perfon in the world (replyed me) who 
would make fuch a freind as I wifh for, 
if I had meritt enough to deferve it. 
Madam, faid I, confider well what you 
fay, and what you doe, for it is fuch a f 
truft, and foe great an obligation that i 
you lay vpon me, as I ought to em- jn 
brace with all imaginable refpect, and jjj 
acknowledgment for the greateft ho- 
nour you could doe me ; Madam, to be 
called your freind were the moft defin- 
able in the world, and I am fure I p 
mould endeavour to acquitt me of the 
duty with great chearfullnefs and fide- |$ 
lity. Pray leave your complimenting, |i 
(faid fhe fmileing) and be my freind ; 
then, and looke vpon me henceforth as \ 
your Child. To this purpofe was her 
obligeing reply ; and there {landing 
pen and ink vpon the table, in which 
had been drawing fomething vpon a pa 

per 



Mrs. Godolphin, 



jper like an Alter, me writt thefe words : 
IBe this the Symboll of Inviolable 
Freindihip, — Mary Blagge, 16th Oc- 
tober, 1672, and vnderneath, For my 

brother E ; and foe delivered it 

to me with a fmile. Well, faid I, Ma- 

|dam, this is an high obligation, and you 

have allready paid me for the greateft 

fervice that I can ever pretend to doe 

you; butt yett doe you know what 

you have done ? Yes, fayes fhe, very 

jwell ; butt pray what doe you meane ? 

jWhy, faid I, the title that has confe- 

rated this Alter is the Marriage of 

ouls, and the Golden thread that tyes 

he hearts of all the world ; I tell you, 

adam, Freindfhipp is beyond all re- 

ations of flefh and blood, becaufe it is 

efs materiall ; there is nature in that of 

arents and kindred, butt [that of] 

Freindfhipp is of courfe and without 

de&ion, for which the Conjugall State it 

"elfe is not alwayes the moil happy ; 

md, therefore, thofe who have had beft 

experience 



37 



3§ 



The Life of 



experience chufe their freind out of all 
thefe circumftances, and have found; 
him more lairing, and more effectuall. 
By this Symboll you give me title to 
all that you can with Honour and Re-: 
ligion part with in this world ; and it 
is a topic I could adorne with glorious 
examples of what I fpeak ; and the no- 
bleft things have been faid vpon it;i 
and the Laws and Meafures of Freind- 
fhipp are the nicer! and the moft ob- 
ligeing ; — but you know them all. Well, 
reply ed fhe, fmileing, be it foe, — pray!' 
what am I to doe ? Nay, faid I, I'll 
tell you firft what you are to furTer. 

The priviledges I claime (in virtue n 
of that character) are that I may vifit^ 
you without being thought importu-t 
nate ; that I may now and then write 
to you to cultivate my Stile ; difcourfe 
with you to improve my Vnderftand- 
ing ; read to you to receive your Re- 
flections ; and that you freely commanc 

mc 



i 



Mrs. Godolphin. 39 

me vpon all occafions without any re- 
ferve whatfoever : you are to write to 
me when I am abfent ; mention me in 
jail your prayers to God, to admonifh 
me of all my failings, to vifitt me in 
ficknefs, to take care of me when I am 
in diilrefs, and never to forfake me, 
hange or lefTen your particular efteeme, 
ill I prove vnconftant or perfidious, 
nd noe mans freind : in a word, there 
as in Freindfhipp fomething of all rela- 
tions, and fomething above them all. 
Thefe, Madam, are the Laws, and they 
ire reciprocall and eternall, &c. 

Thus, for a tyme, 'twixt jeft and 
;arneft, the converfation putt her into 
:he moft agreeable humor in the world. 
Well, faid fhe, I will confider of what 
3rou fay ; butt pray remember you be 
ny freind, and when next you come, 
|! will tell you what I have for you to 
toe in good earneft ; and a little after 
:jvritt me this Letter. 

"My 



4o 



The Life of 



cc My Freindy \ 

cc I have confidered and minded well \ 
what was faid, and what I writt, andf 
will not recall it. I vnderftood fome-i; 
thing of the office of freindfhipp before 
I knew you, butt after what you have 
faid and offered, I beleive I mall neec 
little Inftruction. Gratitude, join'd witfc 
the greateft efteeme I had before of you, 
will require all that you mention on my 
part : you are then, my firft freind, the 
firft that ever I had, and ever mail you 
be foe. This is trueth vpon the word 
of a Chriftian ; and I beleive I mall not 
lay downe my refolution of continueing 
yours butt with my life. I thankfully 
accept all your Councell, and will en^ 



deavour to follow it ; butt birds them- 
felves have allwayes the good naturc- 
to teach their young ones, and foe mul 
you ; looke vpon me then as your chile 
as well as friend, and love me as yoi 
child, and, if you will, call me foe 

Wha 



Mrs. Godolphin. 



What Meafures you are to obferve I 
meddle not with ; for a friend may doe 
what he pleafes ; they who give mony, 
give all : 'tis a faying of your owne as 
to Charity, they that are friends are 
all things, — lett that be myne. Butt 
; ;as for the returnes for the good offices 
I receive, I beleive my advice can be of 
little vfe to you, vnlefs to ferve you as 
an Act of humility, which muft be all 
jthe reafon you will ever have to require 
it; what mall I fay then more? till death 
reckon me your freind ; you fee how I 
think I am with you ; and now, after 
all this, I may grow old or forgettfull, 
and Melancholy or Stupid, and in that 
Cafe, will no more anfwer for my felfe 
then for a Stranger ; butt, whilft I am 
;( my felfe and a Chriftian, I will be 
yours 

I 

Itt would be an vnpardonable orien- 
tation in me, and a great temptation to 
:jover vallue my felfe, and the poore 

fervices 



41 



42 



The Life of 



fervices fhe was pleafed to accept of, jn 
fhould I here repeate what fhe has left! 
me vnder her owne hand vpon thisj 
fubjecl:, in the moft pious and endear- 1; 
ing expreflions that could poffibly fall; 
from the moft fincere and obligeingi 
Creature in the world : butt to lett them > 
pafs, — 'tis certaine, that from this mo- i? 
ment, I no more look'd vpon her asj, 
Mrs. Blagge, butt as my child indeed, 
and did, to the vttmoft of my poore! 
ability e, advice and ferve her in all J 
her fecular and no few fpirituall affaires tl 
and concerns, with a diligence and fi-j 
delity becomeing the truft and confi-i ( 
dence fhe repofed in me, as an honour; 
to be envyed by the beft of men : her >: 
friendfhipp after this to me was foejj 
tranfcendently fincere, noble, and Reli-i^ 
gious, as taught me all its demeanfions, 5 
beyond any thing I ever read of its| ( 
higheft Ideas; and fhe herfelfe was 
heard to fay, what fhe once thought tot 
be a name onely and nothing elfe, fhe < 

found 



Mrs. Godolphin, 



found a reall exiftance ; and that friend- 
fhipp was for mutuall Improvement, 
and to fortifye every virtue; and, in- 
i deed, me was able to direct, and Coun- 
I cell, and encourage, and Comfort. Nay, 
jand has often told me with becomeing 
i passion, That fhe with Joy could dye 
for a friend ; vrgeing that fentence of 
St. Pauls, nor are the meafures hard ; 
I am fure willingly would I have done 
it for her: O fweete, O how defin- 
able ! And, indeed, thefe holy tranfports 
made the Chriftians comunicate all they 
had ; the apoftles fpeake of fome who 
would have pluck'd out their very eyes 
and laid downe their necks for him, 
and called nothing their owne which 
others wanted. 'Tis this which made 
thofe faints of one mind and of one 
heart ; 'tis this has Crown'd a hundred 
thoufand martyrs, and mewed vs that 
the moil confumate friendfhipps are the 
c products of Religion and the love of 
I God. There are Inumerable expref- 

fions 



43 



44 



The Life of 



fions of this nature to be found in her; 
letters to me, which are Charming, and!; 
indeed, foe tender and perfonall, that,j: 
tho' one (who) knew my demeritts asj 
well as I my felfe doe, would fufpecl their 
fincerity ; yett I knew to be from her J 
heart, which was full of moft generous t 
refentments. In a word, I may fay, as; 
David did of Jonathan, her friendmipp - 
to me was parling the love of women I 
nor verily, was it without an intireii 
flmpathye on my part ; and there was : 
providence in itt, as well as inclination 
for the exceeding and moft eminent 
piety and goodnefs that ever confe-t 
crated a worthy freindfhipp, fhone foe|i| 
bright in this blefTed faint, as intitled|: 
her to all the fervices, refpect, and ve-i 
neration I was capable of giveing her. \ 

Never am I to forgett this Golden 
expreflion of hers to me. I would 
have (fayes me) nothing that paffes be-' 
tweene vs have any Refemblance of' 

friendmipp 



Mrs. Godolphin, 



jfriendfhipp that doe not laft. Butt, 
Madam, whither has this Indearing to- 
pic tranfported me. 



After this folemn engagement then, 
jfhe foone accquainted me with many of 
her concerns ; made me the depofitarie 
of her pious thoughts and refolutions, 
and putt her whole fortune intirely 
into my hands ; which, indeed, lay in 
fome danger for want of that arTift- 
(jance, which me might have had from 
an able perfon, tho' from none more 
faithfull and more Induftrious to Im- 
prove it to the beft of my capacity ; I 
was only greiv'd, when att any tyme 
me thought it a trouble to me ; butt 
me would fay : I am your Child, and 
whither mould I goe butt to you ; never 
will I doe any thing without you whilft 
I live : more difference and humility 
[could me not have paid to a father; 
more confidence in a friend ; and this 
l|temper'd with that fweetnefs and ex- 

terordnary 



45 



4 6 



The Life of 



terordnary piety, that I am not able to 
fupport the confideration of the lofs of 
fuch a friendfhipp without vnfpeakable 1 
griefe. 

i 

Seldome or rarely came I to waite on 
her, (if me were not in company) buf 
I found her in her little oratorie, and^ 
fome tymes all in feares, for never was- 
Creature more devout and tender ; and 
athoufandCafes and queftions would me 
propound to me, for which I would ftill 
referr her to that Reverend and learn'd 
divine, with whome me did conftantly- 
correfpondvpon all occafionsof fpiritualf 
advice ; foe carefull and curious was 1 
this faint in the concernments of her- 
foule ; butt fhe would often tell mej 1 ; 
he was too gentle, and, therefore, re-' 
quired of me to deale Impartially ; [thatj 
I was her friend, and that a friend was^ 
Ghoftly father, and every thing to her \ 
indeed I would often reprove her tire- 
fome methods and thought to plant 

the 



j 

Mrs. Godolphin. 


47 


ihe confideracion of the memory and 
]}ove of God in her thoughts ; and to 
iure her of the fad and frieghtfull ap- 
prehenfions fhe fometymes feemed to 
Slave, that God was a fevere exacler; 
that fhe had never done enough, and 
jferved an auftere Matter, not to be 
jbleafed without abundance of labour 
; ind formes without end ; and for this 
(he would frequently give me thanks, 
jthat I had lett her fee and taft more of 
(the love of God and delices of Religion, 
|then ever fhe had before. And veryly 
.this holy and Religious temper of hers, 
|was enough to winn the efteeme of all 
j that had any fence of goodnefs. Nor 
^as her tyme wholly fpent in the con- 
templative part of piety ; fhe was all- 
wayes doeing fome good offices for one 
pr other, gave frequent and confider- 
gible releife to poore and indigent peo- 
ple, and not feldome made me her al- 
Jmoner, and the hand to convey it where 
fhe could not well her felfe ; butt of 

this 









48 



The Life of 



this and the many vifitts fhe in her 
owne perfon made (delicate as me was^ 
to refrefh and comfort the fick and mi- 
ferable, even amongft the moft wretch- 
edly poore, nott without great incon-, 
veniency to her health, I mail give,; 
account hereafter : butt hitherto was r 
fhe advanc'd, being yett hardly enter'd 
her Nineteenth yeare, an age that few in 
her circumstances foe foone fett out att, 
and [would] that I begun as early and as; 
early fmifh'd. 

Wee will now then looke vpon her 
as att Whitehall, whither me came, 
from St. James to waite vpon her Ma-, 
jeftye, after the death of the Dutchefs, 
when fhe was not above fixteene. I, 
had not then indeed the honour tq t 
know her; butt I have heard from 
others, that her beauty and her witt 
was foe exterordinary improved, as thei 
had nothing been feene more furprizc 
ing, and full of charmes ; every body 

was 



■ 






Mrs. Godolphin. 49 

(was in love with, and fome allmoft dye- 
ing for her, whilft with all the Modefty 
^nd Circumfpection imaginable, me 
(drove to Eclipfe the lufter which me 
tave ; and would often check the vivacity 
'|which was naturall, and perfectly be- 
came her, for feare of giveing occasion 
!o thofe who lay in waite to deceive. 
Sutt it was not poffible here to make the 
eaft approach, butt fuch as was full of 
(Honour ; and the diftance me obferv'd, 
bid Caution and Judgment me was 
tniftrefs of, protected her from all im- 
pertinent addreffes, till me had made a 
Choice, without Reproach, and worthy 
ler Efteeme, namely, of that excellent 
[Perfon, who was afterwards her Huf- 
3and, after a paffion of no lefs than 
c N"ine long yeares, that they both had 
been the moft intire and faithfull lovers 
in the world. This was a fpace indeed 
bf fufficient probation, nor will I pre- 
sume to dive into the circumflances 
i 

which made them be foe long refolve- 

in g> 



5° 



The Life of 



ing, me being then it feems butt very 
young, and both of a temper foe ex- 
treamly difcreete. Butt as to the firfl? 
Impreffions, I will relate to your Lady- 
mipp what I have learn'd from he^ 
felfe, when fometymes fhe was pleafec 
to truft me with diverfe paffages of hei> 
Life. For it was not poffible I coulcf 
hear of foe long an Amour, foe honor j 
able a love and conftant paffion, ancf 
which I eafily perceived concerned her) 
as lookeing vpon herfelfe vnfettled; 
and one who had long fince refolvecf 
nott to make the Court her reft, but 
I muft be touched with fome Care fo: 
her. I would now and then kindb- 
chide her, why fhe fufTer'd thofe lani^ 
guifhments when I knew not on whomf 
to lay the blame. For tho' me wouIcj 
induftrioufly conceale her difquiett, anc 
divert it vnder the notion of the Spleene 
me could not but acknowledge to m 
where the dart was fix'd ; nor was an^' 
thing more ingenious then what fh 






no\ 



Mrs. Godolphin. 



£ow writt me vpon this Subject, by 
rhich your Ladymipp will perceive, as 
(with what peculiar confidence me was 
jpleafed to honour me, foe, with what 
-(early prudence and great pietye me ma- 
Jnag'd the paffion, which, of all other, 
(young people are comonly the moil pre- 
cipitate in and vnadvif'd. 

" I came," fayes ihe, c< foe young, as 
I tell you, into the world (that is, about 
14 yeares of Age,) where no fooner was 
I entred, butt various opinions were 
delivered of me and the perfon whome 
(you know,) was more favourable then 
the reft were to me, and did, after fome 
tyme, declare it to me. The firfr. thing 
which tempts young weomen is vanity, 
;and I made that my great defigne. 
Butt Love foone taught me another 
LefTon, and I found the trouble of 
being tyed to the hearing of any fave 
him ; which made me refolve that either 
he or none mould have the pofTerTion 

of 



52 The Life of 



of your Friend. Being thus foone fen-i 
cible of Love my felfe, I was eafily 
perfwaded to keepe my felfe from give^ 
ing him any caufe of Jealoufye, and in 
foe long a tyme never has there beeri) 
the leaft. 

fC This, vnder God's providence, has 
been the means of preferveing me fronr 
many of thofe mifsfortunes young Crea- 
tures meet with in the world, and in i 
Court efpetially. Att firft wee thought 
of nothing but liveing allwayes to^ 
geather, and that wee fhould be happy k 
Butt att laft he was fent abroad by hi^ 
Majeftye, and fell fick, which gave msi 
great trouble ; and I allow'd more tymi 
for Prayer and the performance of holy j 
dutyes than before I had ever done!- 
and I thank God, found infinite plea! 
fure in it, farr beyond any other, and ] 
thought lefs of foolifh things that vfect 
to take vpmy tyme. Being thus changec 
my felfe, and likeing it foe well, I earnr 



Mrs. Godolphin, 



eftly begg'd of God that he would im- 
part the fame fatisfaction to him I 
-loved ; 'tis done, (my friend) 'tis done, 
i|and from my foule I am thankfull; 
knd tho' I beleive he loves me paffion- 
jately, yett I am not where I was : my 
(place is fill'd vpp with HIM who is all 
2|in all. I find in him none of that tor- 
menting paffion to which I need facre- 
fice my felfe ; butt ftill were wee difT- 
engag'd from the world, wee mould 
ijmarry vnder fuch restraints as were fitt, 
and by the agreeablenefs of our hu- 
mour, make each other happy. Butt 
att prefent there are obstructions : he 
•muft be perpetually engaged in buifTnefs, 
and follow the Court, and live allwayes 
in the world, and foe have lefs tyme 
tfor the fervice of God, which is a fenf- 
cible affliction to him ; wherefore, wee 
are not determined to precipitate that 
matter, butt to expect a while, and fee 
how things will goe ; haveing a great 
mind to be togeather, which cannot 

with 



53 



54 



The Life of 



with decency be done without marry- 
ing, nor, to either of our fatisfactions, 
without being free from the world. 
In fhort, ferving of God is our end, 
and if wee cannott do that quietly to-' 
geather wee will afunder. You know 
our Saviour fayes, that all could not 
receive that doctrine, but to thofe who> 
could, he gave noe contradiction ; andi'i 
if wee can butt pafs our younger yeares,;>; 
'tis not likely wee mould be concern^ 
for marrying when old. If wee could 
marry now, I don't fee butt thofe in- 
conveniencys may happen by iicknefs, 
or abfence, or death. In a word, ifl 
we marry, it will be to ferve God and: 
to encourage one another dayly ; if 
wee doe not, 'tis for that end too ; and 
wee know God will direct thofe whdi 
fincerely de/ire his love above all other! 
Confiderations ; now mould wee both 
refolve to continue as we are, be ai 
fur'd, I mould be as little Idle as if ]' 
were a wife. I mould attend to prayer 

ai 



Mrs. Godolphin, 



and all other Chriftian dutyes, and 
make thefe my pleafures, feeing I chufe 
not the condition out of reftraint and 
Angularity, but to ferve God the bet- 
ter." 

i This being in anfwer to fomething I 

(jhad written to her vpon a ferious de- 
bate, in which I had oppofed a melan- 
choly Refolution, fhe would now and 
then entertaine me with, of abfolutely 

j renouncing the thoughts of Marriage 
and wholly retireing in the world, I 
give you [it] in her owne Style and holy 
thoughts, as an Inftance of that early 
piety and prudentiall weighing of things 
and circumftances, which accompanied 
all her actions ; nor could I have pre- 
fented your Ladyfhipp with a more II- 

f luftrious part of her hiftory nor more 
inftruclive. 

In good earneft, this purpofe of 
wholly vacateing to Religion, was att 

this 



55 



56 



The Life of 



this tyme foe imprinted in her, thatp 
whether me marryed or remain'd fingle, 
refolv'd me was to depart the Court 
She had frequently told me, that Seaven 
yeares was enough and too much, to 1 ; 
trifle any longer there : and, according- 
ly, one day that I leafl: dream't of it, 
fhe came exprefsly to my lodgeing and : 
accquainted me with her Intention to' 
goe [and] live att Berkley Houfe, and 
that if me did alter her condition byj> 
Marriage, it mould be when me was; 
perfectly free, and had eflayed how hei| 
detachment from Roy all fervitude wouldi 
comport with her before me deter-; 
min'd concerning another change. I 
happen'd to be with her in the Queens^ 
withdrawing roome, when a day or twdi 
after, finding her oppertunity, and thatf 
there was lefs company, fhe begg'd- 
leave of their Majeftyes to retire ; never 
mall I forgett the humble and become- 
ing addrefs me made, nor the Joy that : 
difcover'd its felfe in this Angells coun 

tenance 



Mrs. Godolphin. 



ijtenance, above any thing I had ever 
jobferved of tranfport in her, when me 
|iad obtained her fuite ; for, I muft tell 
ryou, Madam, me had made fome at- 
tempts before without fuccefs, which 
gave her much anxietie. Their Majef- 
ityes were both vnwilling to part with 
[;mch a Jewell ; and I confefs, from that 
tyme, I look'd vpon White Hall with 
pitty, not to fay Contempt. What will 
become faid I, of Corinthus, the Citty 
:!of Luxury, when the graces have aban- 
don'd it, whofe piety and example is 
foe highly necefTary ? Aftrsea foe left 
the Lower world. And for my part, I 
never fett my foote in it afterwards, 
butt as entering into a folitude, and 
3 was ready to cry out with the wife of 
Phineas, that its glory was departed. 
She tooke, I affure you, her leave of 
their Majeftyes with foe much mo- 
defty and good a Grace, that tho' they 
look't as if they would have a little re- 
proach' t her for makeing foe much haft, 

they 



57 



58 The Life of 



they could not find in their hearts toi [ 

fay an vnkind word to her ; butt there f 

was for all that I am certaine fome-) 

thing att the heart like griefe ; and % 

leave you, Madam, to imagine how the ^ 

reft of the Court mourn'd this Recefs, 1 ! 

and how dim the tapers burnt as fhe ; 

pafPd the an ti- chamber. c Is Mrs.^ 

Blagge goeing/ fayes a faire creature I 

c why flay I here any longer ? * others,? 

c that the Court had never fuch a StarrP 

in all its hemifpheere ; ' and veryly, i! 1 

had not obferved foe vniverfall a damp' 

vpon the fpiritts of every one that knew 

her. Itt was, I remember, on a Sun- C 

day night, after moft of the company;! 

were departed, that I waited on heif 

downe to her Chamber, where fhe wasj ! 

noe fooner enter'd, butt falling on her 

knees, fhe bleffed God as for a Signall' 

deliverance; fhe was come out of Egypt, 

and now in the way to the Land or] 

Promife. You will eafyly figure to 

your felfe how buifTy the young Saint 

was 



Mrs. Godolphin. 



S! was the next morning in makeing vpp 
Jher little carriage to quitt her jprifon : 
and when you have fancied the Con- 
flagration of a certaine Citty the Scrip- 
ture fpeaks of, imagine this Lady trurT- 
ing vpp her little fardle, like the two 
daughters whom the angell haftned and 
jconducted ; butt the fimilitude goes no 
further, for this holy Virgin went to 
Zoar, they to the cave of Folly and 
Intemperance ; there was no danger of 
her lookeing back and becomeing a 
Statue for forrow of what fhe left be- 
hind. All her houfehold ftuffe beiides 
a Bible and a bundle of Prayer bookes, 
was packed vpp in a very little Com- 
pafs, for me lived foe farr from fuper- 
fluitye, that fhe carry ed all that was 
i-vallueable in her perfon ; and tho' me 
I had a Courtly wardrobe, me affected it 
not, becaufe every thing became her 
i that fhe putt on, and me became every 
thing was putt vpon her. 



She 



59 



6o 



The Life of 



She tooke her leave of the mother of 
the Maids as became her ; butt me 
could not weepe till your Ladyfhippsj 
fitter, whome ihe was ftill to leave in' 
Captivitye fell on her neck, and then 
there fell mutuall tears, that trickled; 
downe her Cheeks like the dew of r 
Flowers, and made a lovely griefe : to? 
her and to your Ladyfhipp me left her 
pretty Oratorye, foe often confecrated; 
with her prayers and devotions, as tof 
the only fucceffors of her Virtues and| 
Piety ; and as I am perfwaded that the? 
Court was every day lefs fenfible of its 
lofTe whilft you both continued in 'M 
becaufe you trode in this Religious 1 ^ 
Ladys Stepps, foe the piety it any where 
ftill retaines is accountable to your 1 
rare examples; of fuch Importance is !t 
one Religious Perfon to a whole Socie- 
ty, and fometymes to a Nation. 



Butt to returne to her remove from' 
Court. I am the more particular as 

haveing 



Mrs. Godolphin. 61 

iaveing had the honour to waite on her 
;to Berkley Houfe; I tell your Lady- 
«|hipp, I never beheld her more orient 
then fhe appeared att this tyme, and 
the moment fhe fett foote in the 
Coach her eyes fparkled with Joy, and 
fe marvelous lufture ; the Rofes of her 
Cheeks were foe frefh, and her coun- 
tenance foe gay, as if with the reft of 
per perfections (had fhe not left your 
[jtwo Sifters there) fhe had caryed all 
Ijthe Beautyes as well as all the Virtue 
of the Court away with her too. Butt 
ah, had you feen with what effuflon 
and open armes fhe entred Berkley 
: Houfe, and fprung into the CareiTes of 
;my Lady, in what a trice after fhe was 
ledd vp into her apartmentt fhe had 
putt all her Equipage in order, rang'd 
her Library, and difpofed of her Com- 
pendious Inventory, you would have 
faid there was nothing pretty er then 
that buiffy moment. And now when 
fhe had confecrated her new Oratorye 

with 



62 



The Life of 



with a devout Afpiration and the In- 
cenfe of an humble Soule, for the blef- 
iings of this fweete Retirement, fhe 
fatt downe and admired her fweet fel$|< 
citye. For, as I told your Ladyfhipp, 
'twas not altogeather that fhe might be 
diffengaged from Court that fhe de- 
figned to quitt itt ; butt that me might j 
vacate more to ftricter duty. She be 
lieved that att Berkley Houfe fhe fhouldj 
be more att her owne diflpofall ; thatj 
fhe mould have noe body to obferve 
butt God ; be miftrefs of her houres^ 
and governe her affaires fuitable to her, 
devout Inclinations : and when fhe fe-< 
rioufly requir'd my opinion of it, \ 
could not difTaprove it. Itt brought to 
mind how in the declenfion of the Ern^i 
pire, and when the finns and vices of ?ti 
licentious and abandon'd age had al-> 
larm'd the Roman world with a bar-,; 
barous and vniverfall warr, like what 
was now vpon the fcene of Europe, 
that Paula and her daughter Euftoch- 

ium, 



Mrs. Godolphin. 63 

urn, (two rich and beautifull Ladys) 
pitted the fplendor of a pompous 
^ourt for the RecefTes of Bethelem and 
he Solitudes of Judea, and to proftrate 
themfelves att the manger of a divine 
iabe, and then att the foote of Calva- 
jye, where this holy Mother and beau- 
ous Daughter fpent the reft of their 
ayes in the recollection of their lives 
d the fervice of Jefus : me-thought no- 
thing more ever refembled this Act of 
jthofeDevotas than the heroick refolution 
of our Saint ; in this yett fuperior to 
'theirs, as hers was fpontaneous, theirs 
by the importunityes of St. Hierome ; 
abandoning theRoyall Circle, where me 
-made vp the conftellacions, for a Circle 
of reall Starrs, and to ftand before the 
throne of the Lamb ; me deferts the 
glittering Balls and goes no more to the 
Theater, that me may ring in the quire 
of Seraphins, and contemplate the ce- 
leftiall virion ; me cares not for the 
Sumptuous Entertainments, the Mu- 

fick, 



64 



The Life of 



: 



fick, Mafking, and perfumes, to morti-J 
fye her fences, and enjoy intellectual)' 
pleafures ; fhe neglects the gay and {fan 
dious Drefs, the Raillery and reputa- 
tion of a Witt, which made her the life|i 
of Converfation and the pretty miracle,; 
of Court, that me may adorne hei/ 
bright Soule, and converfe with An^ 
gells ; fhe chufes rather to fuffer dimi- 
nution, and the cenfure of men as per-: 
cife and lingular ; to be a reall Maid o\\ 
Honour, then to have the name, and 
live in the fcene of Temptation ancj| 
the pleafures of Sinn for a feafon : in i 
word, I fancied her call'd, as was Abra-: 
ham out of Vr of the Chaldees ancr 
from the Idolls of Haran. 

Butt as nothing on this fide heaver 
is permanent long, me had not been ir 
this Imaginarye and indeed fweete re- 
tirement, and where tho' one of th<> 
moft magnificent pallaces of the Towne 
fhe had her apartment remote from the 

buifsj 



i 



Mrs. Godolphin. 



buiffy part of the houfe, and was rarely 
(fitted for her purpofes of devotion ; I 
fay, it was not long, when partly from 
the necerTity of Comply ance with the 
Lady of the family, the continuall and 
jimportune vifitts of the great perfons 
ij which vf'd to frequent that place, ob- 
ligeing her to tedious Cerimony and 
converfation that often interrupted her 
Courfe, and partly (from) other Circum- 
ftances, which for the prefentfeemed lefs 
favourable to their Intentions of mar- 
riage foe foone, and the difquiett it putt 
her to, me not only deliberated in good 
earner!:, butt refum'd her former Inclina- 
tion with more refolution than ever, of 
removeing farther from thefe Impedi- 
ments and all togeather abandoning the 
world. I have really been touch'd in the 
deepeft fence to fee the Conflicts this de- 
vout Creature vnderwent, betweene her 
love and her devotion ; or mail I call 
rthem both her love ; for foe they were : 
fp. thoufand tymes has me told me me 

would 



65 



K 



66 



The Life of 



would abide as me was, and then her pitty 
for, him who could not live in her abfence, I 
divided her afrefh, and peirc'd her to the 
foule ; and when me was in the deeper! [ 
of this Concerne for him, nothing I 
have ever read in the Epiftles of Seneca, 
had that excellent Stoick been indeed a 
Christian, appear'd more divinely phi- 
lofophicall then the Topics fhe would 
vfe to divert his paffion, and reafon 
him into an indifference for her, when 
(of all things in the world,) it was not 
indifferent to her that he mould have 
lov'd her lefs. Butt me had really that 
abfolute Empire over her owne affec- 
tions, and fuch potent Inclinations to> 
make God and Religion the buirTnefs 1 ; 
of her life, that as I faid, me wasi 
many times vpon the Brink of Refolve-' ; 
ing to abandon all the world : me be-, 
leived that I who knew love to be 
ftronger then death, would never aw 
prove of this refolution ; and, there- 
fore, me pretended att flrft, only to 

make 



Mrs. Godolphin. 



make a vifttt to her fitter the Lady 
Yarbrough in Yorkfheir, for a month 
or two dureing the fummer ; butt after 
that, me could not conceale from me a 
further defigne of goeing from thence 
to Hereford, to live by herfelf vnder 
the direction of the Reverend Deane of 
that Cathedrall, who had long been her 
fpirituall father. This was the Zoare 
fhe often languished after, vfeing that 
Jj of Righteous Lott, C( Is it not a little 
\ one, and my foule mail live." cc Yes, my 
friend," fays me, "in perfect libertye 
' without formes ; frugally, without Con- 
tempt ; conveniently, without pomp ; 
att diftance from the Buttle of the world, 
where I fliall forgett and be forgotten, 
be arbitrefs of my tyme, and ferve God 
regularly ; chufe my Converfation, and 
when I alter my Condition, doe it with 
your advice ; which I am fure will never 
be to alter a purpofe foe reafonable, and 
foe fitt for one in my Circumftances." 
Thus would this blefled Creature dif- 

courfe 



67 



68 



The Life of 



jj 

courfe it with me, whilft in the meanen 
tyme, fhe was ballanceing in herfelfe 
when it came to a Refolution. <c The 
Lord help me, dear freind," fayesli 
me to me, in another Letter, " I know- 
not what to determine ; fbmetymes I 
think one thing, fbmetymes another;? 
one day I fancy noe life foe pure as the,; 
vnmarryed, another day I think it lefs 1 ' 
exemplarye, and that the marryed life 
has more oppertunity of exercifeing 
Charity ; and then againe, that 'tis full' 
of folicitude and worldly nefs, foe as 
what I fhall doe, I know not. He! 
can live without a wife willingly, butti 
without me he is vnwilling to live,: 
foe as if I doe not marry he is not m\ 
danger of finn ; butt if I or he or both i 
mould repent, O Lord and Governor of 1 
my life, leave me not to my felfe, to the 
Counfell of my whole heart, butt fend 
me wifdome from thy throne to direct, 
afTift, and lead me foberly in my doeings. 
Thou haft: imparted to us reafon for 

our 



Mrs. Godolphiru 69 



spur guide ; butt O rule thou that rea- 
son, for without thou Conduct it I fhall 
jbe in perpetuall hazard. Lord, I re- 
nounce all Judgment, all knowledge, and 
difcretion of my owne ; I defire not to 
Ibe a Child of this world, wife in their 
feneration, butt to be a Foole that I 
wiay indeed be wife. I am in a ftraight 
iand know not what to chufe, determine 
ithou for me, O blefTed Lord. Remem- 
cjber that for near thefe one and twenty 
yeares I have been thy care, and I blefs 
»the for it. Thou haft frequently and 
3 wonderfully preferv'd me, both in fpi- 
trituall and temporall dangers, and over 
and above has done Innumerable good 
1 things for me ; O leave me not now in 
ithis difficulty, butt once more be thou 
my Councellor, and whilft I live will I 
be thy faithfull, thankfull, fervant. Say, 
y^men with me, dear freind." 

Behold, Madam, the Letter, or ra- 
ther the ejaculation which an heart in- 

tirely 



7° 



The Life of 



tirely poflefPd with Religious Senti- T 
ments, made her dictate on this occa-i 
fion ; nor mould I have produc'd thefe 
particulars (con-credited to me in fpe^ 
tiall Confidence) butt to lett you feej] 
with how holy a defigne and confidera-; 
cion fhe proceeded ; and how Infinitely 
different from the method of makeing: 
love and receiveing addrefTes now | 
dayes. Veryly, when I reflect vpon hetf 
youth, beauty, witt, the temptation^ 
and conflicts fhe fuftain'd, to comply 
with the affection fhe had for her twcj 
Rivall loves (for foe I againe call 
them) I am halfe aftonifiVd, butt yoi^ 
fhall hear how paffionately fhe defcribes' 
it, and thus goes on. 

cc Much afflicted and in great agony, 
was your poor friend this day, to think 
of the love of the holy Jefus, and yet; 
be foe little able to make him any re- 
turne. For with what favour have 1 
protefted againft all affection to the. 

thing: 



Mrs. Godolphin. 71 

kings of tkis world ; refign'd tkem all 
Ivitkout exception ; wken tke firft mo- 
ment I am tryed, I fkrink away, and 

im paffionately fond of tke Creature, 
:j|id forgetfull of tke Creator. Tkis, 

vken I confider'd, I fell on my knees^ 
(jind witk many teares, begg'd of God 
ip aflift me witk kis Grace, and banifk 

rom me all Concerne butt tkat of kea- 

r enly tkings, and wkolly to pofTefs my 
ijieart kimfelfe ; and eitker releive me in 
jkis Conflict, now foe long fuftain'd, or 
'Continue to me Strengtk to reiift it, ftill 

earing if tke combate ceafe not in tyme, 
mould repine for being putt vpon foe 

lard a dutye. Butt tken againe, wken 
call to mind tke Grace of Selfe deny- 

11, tke konour of fuffering for my Sa- 
viour, tke Reward propof 'd for tkofe 

kat conquer, tke deligkt I mall con- 

eive in feeing and enjoying kim ; tke 
iiappynefs of tke life above ; I tkat am 

kus feeble, tkus fearfull, call, (out of 

scercife of kis Grace,) yea, for tribula- 
tion, 



7 2 



The Life of 



tion, for perfecution, for contradictions 
to my owne defires, and for every 
thing agreeable to the Spiritt and dif- 
pleafing to the flefh. Thus, with St. 
Paul, when I am weake then am ■ 
ftrong ; when I am in forrow then ami 
I rejoiceing ; one whome I love is here; 
butt I am gott to other Company, anc 
well have I been regal'd, for God has 8 
been very gratious to me ; moft bitterM 
have I wept to think how much of my| 
heart he has, how little my blefTed Sa- 
viour, who has loved and fuffered for mi 
foe much more ; happy, ah happy, ar& 
you my friend, that are pafl that might) 
love to the Creature. Butt I make thii 
my humble confeflion to God and you; 
bewayleing my loveing any thing but 
himfelf; imploreing him to tranflat* 
my affections, and place them on hm]\ 
alone. Thus to you doe I difplay m| ; 
griefe, I can leave him whome hen 
I love, to goe to my Jefus for ever 
butt I Confefs, 'tis hard for me to leavd 

hin 



Mrs. Godolphin. 73 

<jhim now foe often as I doe, and this 
breaks my heart, that after foe many 
Tolemn proferTions to God, what I would 
:doe for him, I mould with fuch relucV 
lancy part from this perfon, to pray, 
fand to read, and to goe to holy du- 
Jtyes. 
[ 

cc Now, dear freind, mould I marry, 
and refufe to goe to my Lord, part 
fvnwillingly, or refufe him, what would 
become of me ? No, No, I will re- 
ilmaine my Saviours ; he mail be my 
'love, my hufband, my all ; I will keepe 
jtny Virgin, prefent it vnto Chrift, and 
not putt myfelfe into the temptation 
iDf loveing any thing in Competition 
with my God." 

f Thus farr this devout and tender 
'Creature : nor this the laft wherein me 

^as conjur'd me to advife what fhe 
lould refolve on, when often her heart 
as I faid, has been divided betweene 

her 



74 



The Life of 



her lovers, as was St. Pauls in another; 1 : 
cafe, even wifhing to be diflblv'd, that! 
ihe might be with Chrift, and freed!; 
from all this folicitude, as me has fre-i 
quently exprefT'd it to me. And nowi 
what was I to returne ? truely I was! 
myfelfe alfoe fometymes divided in my* 
thoughts. She had perpetuall Inclina^: 
tions to retire from all the world, efpe-J 
tially apprehending that by any feculaflj 
circumftances, me might poffibly rdt 
maine in a doubtful condition, and th§ 
refolution was once foe ftrongly fix'dii; 
that with noe fmall dificulty I oppofec 
it. Being foe fully perfwaded as I wasp 
that they would be exceeding bleffings!' 
to one another, rare examples of th^j 
conjugall ftate, and that nothing could! 
hinder the purfuite of an holy life ana 
the love of God, foe much as thl ( " 
pendulous and vncertaine condition;' 
whilft marriage fhe would find compofc 
her devout fpiritt, and improve it, J 
told her, me was not free, as I con-i 

ceiv'd 



Mrs. Godolphin. 



ceiv'd, to refolve foe peremptory lye ; 
pat it was to doe violence to one 
whome fhe acknowledg'd could not live 
without her; nay, that if to comply 
with her, he putt constraint vpon him- 
felfe, fhe mould not doe well, fince his 
Action in this Cafe ought to be as free 
as her owne ; and that fhe mould doe a 
much nobler and [more] felf denying 
thing, to preferr the fatisfaclion of foe 
worthy a Creature before her owne. I 
confented to all her Elogies of the Virgin 
State, butt that there were no lefs due 
to the Conjugall ; and that if there were 
fome temptations in it, her meritts would 
be the greater, and the exercife of her 
virtue ; Circled indeed it was with fome 
tollerable thornes, butt rewarded with 
illuftrious Coronetts for the good it 
produc'd; that as to the oppertunityes of 
ferveing God, an active life was prefer- 
rable to the Contemplative ; and that I 
fhould not doubt to fee as many Crown'd 
in heaven who had been marryed, as of 

Virgins : 



7 6 



The Life of 



Virgins : fince from Marriage all then 
Virgins in the world had their orriginall,, 
and all the Saints that ever were or ever!) 
fhall be ; that it was the Seminary of 
the Church and care of Angells ; and< 
that [though] our beloved [Lord] werej: 
borne of a Virgin, me was yett vail'l 
vnder the Cover of Marriage ; and foe: 
when St. Paul exalted the Celibate above: 
it, for the advantages he enumerates,!: 
itt was nott to derogate from Marriage^ 
butt becaufe of the prefent diftrefs andi 
the Impediments of a family to an] 
Itinerant and Perfecuted Apoftle, and 
thofe who in that Conjuncture had noe^ 
certaine aboade. That as to the per-!p 
fe&ion and puritye of the State, 'twas: 
one thing to be marryed to a Man's 
and another to a Hufband; to the fid! 
indeed, moft of the world were joined, 
to the fecond, none butt the Religious,/) 
That as 'twas Inflituted in Paradife, 
and dignify ed by our bleffed Saviours- 
prefencej compared to the moft inti- 
mate 



Mrs. Godolphin. 



sjnate Indearements of Chrift to his 
jChurchj 'twas often blefTed with exter- 
prdinary profperity even in this world. 
That the fidelity, fociety, mutuall afFec- 
ijtion, and inftance of religious Mar- 
riages, the regularity of their Charitye, 
l|and hofpitality of their familyes, was 
Emulous of the higher!: pretences of 
the Virgin and more folitary Condition. 
Doe you (would I fay) efleeme it noe 
■jhonour to have given Saints to the 
jChurch, and vfefull members to the 
State in which you live ; and that you 
can be hofpitable to ftrangers, inftitute 
your Children, give inftruction to your 
fervants, example to the neighbours, 
and be the parent of a thoufand other 
bleffings. I remembered her of what 
Ifometymes fhe would fay, that if fhe 
marryed and had noe Children, fhe 
mould be difpleafed ; and if me had, 
fhe might have either too many, or too 
wicked and vntoward ; this, I told her, 
was to diftrufl Gods providence, and 

fhe 



77 



7 8 



The Life of 



fhe did not well to make thofe reflec- 
tions ; when in all events there was ex+ 
cercife of faith, and patience, Induftry/ 
and other graces ; and that fhe wouIgd 
not be happy vnlefs fhee was alone, not; 
confidering that the few may be as weli 
fooles, as vitious, — which is worfe ; and 
that one of the many may recompencet 
all her care for the reft ; that if flu 
who bare her had been of that mind;, 
there would have been one lefs Sain; 
to Glorifye God ; that I mould havf; 
wanted an excellent friend, and fo( 
would many others, who now blefPc; 
God for the Charityes me did therm; 
Vpon all thefe Topycs I challeng'd he^ 
humility, her faith, and her love, jj 
laid before her how much more affected^ 
morofe, covetous, obnoxious to tempt; 
ation and reproach an old Maid woulc 
be, who was knowne to have engagee 
her affection allready, than one wh< 
had never entertain'd an addrefs. The 
the trouble and forrow of bringin: 

fort 



Mrs. Godolphin. 79 

(forth and expence of a family, would 
ktt another tyme affreight her; little 
weomen, I told her, had little paine ; 
:ind that Queens had endured as much 
(with patience and chearfullnefs ; that 
as to great fortunes and fupport, opu- 
lent couples were not exempted from 
Cares, and that tho' I was affured God 
had great bleffings of that kind alfoe 
in referve ; yett fowre provifions and 
lefs Ambition, were as happy in the 
jmutuall affection of each other, where 
there was a Competency for the pre- 
fent, and foe faire a profpect for the 
future : in a word, that there was 
:fome thing foe patriarchall (not to fay 
defpotic) and Royall in a well govern'd 
; family, and worthy marriages, that I 
l could not butt give it preheminence to 
iall me had objected. Thefe were the 
i conflicts wee had on this fubject ; and 
the difficulty es fhe fuggefted, where, I 
'plainly told her, Itt was by no means 
! agreeable to her piety, nor to the Equi- 

tye 



8o 



The Life of 



tye of the thing, that any lefs conside- 
ration than a fore fight of inevitable ^ 
mine, fhould fufpend her refolutions of- 
giveing her felfe to a deferveing perfonf 
whofe approaches had been foe honour- 
able, and whome fhe confefPd fhe lov'd* 
above all the world. There is certainly: 
nothing more calamitous, then where 
love (as they call it) drives the bar- 
gaine, and paffion blinds the Man ; butt* 
foe the young things precipitate, and') 
the Giddy are entangled, and when the£ 
fancy cooles, repentance fucceeds, and' 
it ends in averfion and anxiety e. Butt 
thefe Calentures concern'd not this 1 
excellent Couple, and fuch a Conjuga- 
tion of likely circumftances. I would!; 
tell her itt was not enough to be happyj r ; 
alone, when fhe might make another;! 
foe ; or ought fhe to refolve not to alter 
her Condition till fhe was out of reach 
of accidents, that it became a cruel! ^ 
and ill natur'd Laban to exa6l a double 
apprentyfhipp for a Rachell; that it 

was 



Mrs. Godolphin. 81 

was Saul that putt David to adventure 
^for a wife ; that the Heroick tymes 
were now antiquated, and people pro- 
ceeded by gentler and more compen- 
dious methods ; and the decencyes of 
iher fex, and cuftome of the nation, and 
pie honour of the condition, and the 
jwant of Monafteryes andpyous RecefTes 
lobliged her to marry. Marry then in 
|Gods name, faid I, fince my advice you 
£fke : itt is finally what I think you 
:jought to refolve on ; tho' if I ftuddied 
|my owne fatisfaction, I mould rather 
romote this aversion, and feeke to for- 
iifye your fufpicion ; for as I profefs it 
e greateft Contentment of my life 
hat you have vowed me your friend- 
ipp foe folemnly, and that you will 
e conftant, whilft I incite you to marry, 
endanger and putt it to the hazard ; 
l 7 or perhapps your huiband may be 
ealous, tho* without caufe ; or he 
nay have particular diflike to me, or 
nay not be noble, free, and ingenious, 

jj or 

I 

M 



82 The Life of 



or may make you vnhappy otherwife,! 
which would be the greateft affliction 
could happen to me ; whereas, contin^ 
uing as you are, mifstrefs of your felfe> 
and your converfation, your virtue andj 
my yeares, and the confcience of my[ 
duty, and both our difcretions, will pre- f 
ferve our friendfhipp honorable, pious/ 
and vfefull. In fum, I faid nothing 
vpon Marriage, butt what I could vn^ 
ravell to the advantage of virginitye, — k 
the eafe of a iingle life, the opportune 
tyes of doeing more good, of ferveing 
God better, of prolonging life — by est 
ample and precept from Scripture, fron^ 
Fathers, from Legends, and hiftoryes 1 
and prefent her fuch a lovely pictur* ; 
of that ftate, which approaches nex 
the nature of Angells, (who neither 
marry nor are given in marriage) a ! 
would have brought her to more thai ; 
a fufpence, or requireing farther advice } 
me would have needed no farther ar 
gument to render her more vnkind t 

Hymer 



i 



Mrs. Godolphin, 



Hymen, and to the repofe of one who 
jfhe knew I pittyed; and, therefore, I 
ever perfwaded her againfl the Recefs 
Jfhe foe often was threatning, as a thing 
jfingular and of little advantage. I 
Japplauded her recourfe to afliduous and 
Jhumble prayer ; that God would direc~b 
her for the beft, and that after all I had 
faid and written to her, fhe would make 
that her Oracle ; being confident that 
.jGod, who had hitherto taken fuch fig- 
nail care of her, would not fufFer her 
to mifcarry in this Concerne. For I 
I could not endure to fee her allwayes in a 
^doubtfull and vncertaine condition ; be- 
caufe it could be profitable for neither, 
for when fhe had ferioufly confulted 
her friends, fhe had done all that was 
required ; and fince it could not but 
be their vniverfall fufFrage, fhe was to 
accquiefs, I therefore advifed her, that 
in cafe fhe ftill refolv'd to live as fhe 
was, it fhould be butt for a tyme, 
without Impofeing on her felfe, and foe 

from 



83 



84 The Life of 

; 

from tyme to tyme, as Circumstances? 

might be, butt till then mind her 

health ; for me began to looke pale and 

leane, and had been too negligent or: 

her felfe, which I reprov'd her for.i 

Butt this did not alltogeather the ef-ili 

feet, — fhe rejoines, and writes to met 

from Twicknam thus : — 

« 0.6th July. 
cc Your advice I like, and all you fay; 
on both Subjects ; yett am ftill where If 
was, wiihing to live alone, as a thing 
moft fuiteable to my humour, and the 
neareft way to heaven; nor can you 
blame one foe weake as I am, to chufe, 
that path which will fooneft bring md. 
to my Journeys end. However, I mall 
obferve your Rules, and foe farr your 
counfell, as not to determine any thing? 
rafhly, till he give me free leave to doel 
it. In the meane tyme, if you approve; 
of it, that the world may not think- 
by my growing leane as you fay, J 

leave 



Mrs. Godolphin. 85 

leave it with regrett, for the tyme 
I ftay here, I intend to take care of 
my health, and drink the Cows milk 
tjn the Morning, and becaufe I am not 
fleep imediately vpon it, my Maid 
thall read to me fome divine Subject ; 
then rife and finifh my private dutyes, 
hen pray with my Servants, and be 
Irefled by Eleaven, and foe have tyme 
)efore prayers to read a Chapter with 
frther dutyes ; note and collect fome- 
thing out of what I read. Att fix in 
:he Evening I will repeate my Courfe 
igaine, and after that learn fuch things 
m heart as I gladly would retaine ; 
ifter Supper pray with my people and 
oy my felfe, my Maid reading to me 
livhilft I am vndreffing, and then lay 
ine downe in peace. This is the me- 
:hod I intend for ordnary dayes, nott 
Frydayes, when you know I am to fart, 
md fpend it intirely with God ; or Sun- 
layes, [when] I will rife early and Im- 
ploy it with as much devotion as I can ; 

— this 



86 



The Life of 



— this is, I fay, the courfe I purpofe here, 
if you approve of it ; for the reft, eat 
my meate heartyly, and comply with 
the converfation of the Family ; tho' I 
all this tyme wifh extreamly that I were 
fetled, where I needed vfe none of thefe 
Impertinencyes, the obfervances and 
ceremonyes of vifitts, formall meals, 
&c. to the expence of my tyme ; butt 
wholly attend on God, night and day. 
Nor mould I dare yett to indulge my 
felfe this liberty, did I att all pleafe 
my felfe in it as formerly I had done ; 
or that I intend to continue it above m 
months att furtheft, if I change not my 
Condition, which is to marry (as you 
would have me) and become worldly. 
Soe as by the end of Summer, I fhall be 
free, and then none will confider my 
lookes, nor mail I be concern'd if they 
doe, att the diftance of my retreate. 
Pray lett me know what you think of 
all this. I was this day very devout, 
but nott tender, and I hope it was as 

well, 



Mrs. Godolphin, 



well, for I thank God I have made 
good refolutions." 

This being the fubftance of her let- 
ter in reply to one of myne, your Lady- 
fhipp may perceive, as, how devoutly 
this blefled Virgin, (for foe muft I call 
her,) fpent her tyme in that delicious 
place, and amongft fuch a Confluence 
of Viflttants, &c, foe how her heart 
I was bent vpon her Northern Recefs, to 
| which I was foe averfe ; and I was con- 
I fident me would not long have enjoy'd 
herfelfe in it ; nor could the diftance of 
Herefordfheir have worne him out of 
her thoughts, which that of France and 
Spaine could not doe. The trueth is, I 
did heartyly pitty that worthy Gentle- 
man, and faw noe reafon in the world 
why they mould not both be happy in 
each other, and my friend compofed, 
without takeing any exterordnary or 
lingular courfe ; tho' on the other hand, 
when I considered thro' what difficul- 

tyes 



s? 



88 



The Life of 



tyes and relu&ances, this tender crea- 
ture, now in the flower of her beauty, 
witt, and reputation att court, would 
facrifice all to God, I could hardly ab- 
ftaine from crying out, O magnanimous 
Virgin, I applaud your defigne, I ap- 
prove, I admire your choice ; I mag- 
nifye your example ; itt is great, 'tis 
illuftrious, becaufe it is the better part, 
and form'd vpon juft confideration ; 
you have weighed itt long, and enquired 
of God : I allow, I allow, and even en- » 
vye your purpofe ; O fweet repofe of a 
devout foule, the flames of Celeftiall 
love, the fruition of Jefus, the ante- 
pafts of Heaven, what mall I call, what 
mail I name it ; Confumate felicitye 
who has none to feare, none to ferve, 
none to love butt God ; butt whilft you 
are made free why leave you me be- 
hind, intangl'd in the world, whilft you 
are in the light, I [am] in darknefs and a 
chaos ; for when you are gone what is 
the Court or Country to your friend. 

I mail 



Mrs. Godolphin, 



I mall fee you no more in the Circle, 
nor Joine voices with you in the Quire, 
•nor vifitt your holy cell ; with you our 
Joyes are departed, receive me then 
from this hatefull abode ; and begg 
of God, that the circumftances of my 
life being compofed, I, who Emulate, 
may Imitate your example, and devote 
the remainder of my few dayes to eter- 
nity ; or at leaft while I am to converfe 
here below, (for you are gone from 
the Earth) may I live in the contem- 
plation of your virtues, and be a part 
of your IntercefTions. Goe then, my 
holy freind, when you pleafe, and be 
happy. 

Madam, you may poflibly imagine 
this a Romantick folly, or the tranf- 
port of fome lover ; butt I arlure you, 
they were the dictates of my mind and 
heart, whilft I was Councelling her to 
ftay and to marry ; for, tho' I thought 
this more expedient, I could not but 

pronounce 



8 9 



9° 



The Life of 



pronounce that the more perfect and 
exterordnary well. Thus me continued 
att Twicknam, as it were, in proba- 
tion, for the moft part retired, and 
fometymes in converfation. He often 
came to vifitt her, and that broke her 
heart if he abftain'd from comeing. She 
was frill vneafy ; foe after fome weeks, 
fhe returnes to London, with full re- 
folution of beginning her Journey, and 
the very day was prefixt ; butt when 
it approach'd, indeed it was not poffible 
to pacify e my Lady Berkley ; who 
being to lofe the moft fweet and agree- 
able companion in the world, imploy'd 
all that friendfhipp, love, and paffion [ 
could infpire for the changeing her re- 
folution, and the Convulsion was foe j 
fenfible to them both, that fhe was J 
forced to give way to her Importuni- i 
tyes, and deliberate on it fome longer ;, 
tyme. Nor was itt alltogeather in the ; 
consideration of my Lady alone, that 
flie fuffer'd herfelfe to be prevailed on, j, 

there 



Mrs. Godolphin, 



there were others whome (when it came 
to the Teft) fhe was vnwilling to leave 
for foe long a tyme, and foe great a 
diftance, and among them, I mould be 
ftrangely vngratefull, not to acknow- 
ledge the mare I had in her thoughts 
and excellent nature, when I mall acc- 
quaint you of the Refolution me had 
to take a little houfe att Greenwich ; 
and I had commiffion from her to find 
out a place whither me might retire 
to, without quite goeing as it were out 
of the world, into the North ; not 
being able as me affirmed, to comply 
any longer with the receiveing and 
paying Impertinent vifitts, and other 
avocations and circumftances, which 
tooke vpp all her tyme att London, tho' 
with a Lady who foe much efteem'd 
her. I confefs, I was not forward to 
promote this defigne, not only becaufe I 
thought [it] inconvenient for a Lady foe 
young, and who was allready difpofed 
to a more than ordnary refervednefs, to 

cherifh 



91 



92 The Life of 



cherifh the humour ; butt that it would 
appeare like fomething over fingular in t 
her and prejudiciall to her health. I 
propofed therefore, her accepting the c 
beft accomodation I could give her, 
and fhe had certainly fpent fome confi- 
derable tyme with my wife, and retir'd 
to the little Cell, where your Ladyfhipp I 
has fometymes found her; butt my \ 
Lady Berkley, could not fuffer this 
Ecclipfe, or endure that me mould goe ii 
from her with any patience. Itt was |( 
on this that me writes me thus at large [ 
what conflicts me had endur'd ; and att 
the clofe : — " My beft friend as to 
my being in your family, itt was all- I 
moft, and ah ! that it had not been all- 
moft, butt alltogeather ; for whatever i 
you think, it is hard for me to defcribe 
how forry I am to be thus farr from i 
foe deare a friend ; and you don't know i 
that I have given over feverall other pro- J 
pofalls of fettling my felfe, when that ; 
thought comes into my head, that I 

mall 



Mrs. Godolphin. 



fhall be a great way from you, vnlefs I 
continue where I am att leaft for fome 
months, till God is pleafed to difpofe 
of me one way or other." 

Butt whilft fhe was in this vncer- 
tainty and fufpence where fhe mould 
fix, and that the winter began to ap- 
proach, there was a play to be acted 
att Court before their Majeflyes, where- 
in none were to be Actors butt perfons 
of the moft Illustrious quality; the 
Lady Mary, fince Princefs of Orange, 
the Dutchefs of Monmouth, and all 
the fhineing beautyes ; and itt was not 
poffible to leave her out, who had vpon 
the like folemnity formerly, and when 
fhe was Maid of Honour, accquitted 
her felfe with foe vniverfall applaufe 
and admiration ; and veryly, never was 
any thing more charmeing and more a 
divertifement, than to hear her att any 
tyme recite, or read a Dramatick poem. 
j She had not only a moft happy memory, 
! butt 

! 

\- , — 



93 



94 



The Life of 



butt exquiflte Judgment, and could 
add thofe motions to her voice, as gave 
what me pronounced, the greateft fweet- 
nefs and grace Imaginable. This, tho' 
fhe would heretofore and butt rarely ? 
have done for diversion, and amongft \ 
freinds, the moft innocentt in the world, : 
me had now intirely taken leave of, l 
and butt in Complyance with fome \ 
great Ladyes (whome fhe could not de- [ 
cently refufe) did fhe willingly fee a '■ 
play att the Theater ; and therefore, to ! 
be now herfelfe an Actorefs (tho' among fj 
fuch an AfTembly of noble Perfons) [' 
was to putt a Mortification on her, 
that coft her not only great reluctancy, 
butt many teares. Butt there was noe \ 
refufeing ; the King and Duke had laid f 
their Commands vpon her, to beare a 
part with the Lady Mary, and others 3 
of Illuftrious name. I came often to f 
her when fhe was reciteing, and am 
wittnefs with what extreame regrett, 
and how vnwelcome to her this honour 

was. 



Mrs. Godolphin. 95 

was. Butt me had att this moment 
alfoe another affaire in hand, which 
more Imported her, and the difficulty 
in compaffing that which folely by his 
Majeftes favour was to be obtain'd, dif- 
pof'd her the more reafonably to com- 
ply. She had ever fince her Recefs from 
Court, liv'd in expectation of the pre- 
fent which of courfe their Majeftyes 
vfed to make to the Maids of Honour, 
who haveing waited a competent tyme 
vpon the Queene, doe either marry or 
withdraw from Court with their Royall 
permiffion ; and now had fhe newly 
folicited the Duke to befpeake my 
Lord Treafurer about it, who gave her 
kind words, butt told her he muft have 
the Kings particular direction in it, butt 
in the meane while, was not forward to 
putt his Majeftye in mind of it ; and 
there was nothing to which me had a 
greater averfion then the Importuneing 
great perfons in her owne behalfe, for 
j Civility which did not flow naturally 

from 



9 6 



The Life of 



from thofe in whofe power it lay to ! 
oblige her. " I perceive/' fayes me, \ 
in a letter to me, written 2 2d Septem- 
ber, on this occafion, £C that my buiff- ' 
nefs makes noe advance, and that where j, 
I leaft expected difficulty I find the 
greater!:. The King fayes nothing to 
my Lord Treafurer, nor my Lord to 
him ; foe that for ought I perceive, 'tis 
likely to depend thus a long tyme : 
well, Gods- will be done, as in Heaven, 
foe on Earth ; in the meane tyme I ami 
extreamly heavy, for I would be freet. 
from that place, and have nothing to? 
doe in itt att all ; butt it will not be,( 
for the play goes on mightyly, which 1 
hoped would never have proceeded! 
farther. Dear friend, I begg your!) 
prayers this cloudy Weather, that God 
would endow me with patience and, 
Resignation. Would you beleive itt,? 
there are fome that envy me the honour, 
(as they efteeme it) of acting in this; 
play, and pafs malitious Jefts vpon me. 

Now 



Mrs. Godolphin. 



97 



Now you know I am to turne the other 
Cheeke, nor take I notice of itt.. 

See the humility of this excellent 
Creature, who you foe well knew, 
looked on this occafion as one of her 
greateft afflictions, and would have de- 
volved the mare me had in this Court 
Magnificence on any other Lady with 
a thoufand acknowledgments, had their 
Majeftyes butt excufed her ;- butt there 
was no retreating ; me had her part 
afligned her, which, as itt was the moft 
illuftrious, foe never was there any per- 
form'd with more grace, and becomeing 
the folemnity. She had on her that 
day near twenty thoufand pounds value 
of Jewells, which were more fett off 
with her native beauty and lufter then 
any they contributed of their owne to 
hers ; in a word, me feemed to me a 
Saint in Glory, abltracting her from the 
\ Stage. For I mufl tell you, that amidft 
all this pomp and ferious impertinence, 

whilft 



9 8 



The Life of 



whilft the reft were acting, and that her 
part was fometymes to goe off, as the 
fcenes required, into the tireing roome, 
where feverall Ladyes her companions 
were railing with the Gallants trifleingly 
enough till they were called to reenter, 
me, vnder pretence of conning her next 
part, was retired into a Corner, reading 
a booke of devotion, without att all 
concerning herfelfe or mingling with 
the young Company ; as if fhe had no 
farther part to act, who was the princi- 
pall perfon of the Comedy ; nor this 
with the leaft difcernable affectation, 
butt to divert and take off her thoughts 
from the prefent vanity, which from 
her foule fhe abhorred. I mention the 
paffage as a fingular work of her reall 
piety, and to mew how fhe continually 
applyed her mind on all occafions, and 
how little tranfported with thofe fplen- 
did follyes and gay entertainments 
which vfually take vp foe much of the 
pretious tyme which is given vs to 

worke 



Mrs. Godolphin, 



worke out our Salvation. I need not 
enlarge vpon the argument of the 
Poem, which you may be fure, how- 
ever defective in other particulars, was 
exactly modeft, and fuiteable to the 
Perfons, who were all of the firft rank 
and moft illuftrious of the Court : nor 
need I recount to your Ladyfhipp with 
what a furprizeing and admirable aire 
fhe trode the Stage, and performed her 
Part, becaufe me could doe nothing of 
this fort, or any thing elfe fhe vnder- 
tooke, indifferently, butt in the higheft 
perfection. Butt whilft the whole 
Theater were extolling her, fhe was 
then in her owne Eyes, not only the 
humbleft, butt the moft diffident of 
herfelf, and leaft affecting praife. 

Thus ended the Play, butt foe did 
not her affliction, for a diffafter hap- 
pened which extreamly concern'd her, 
and that was the lofs of a Diamond of 
conflderable vallue, which had been 

lent 



99 



100 



The Life of 



lent her by the Countefs of SufFolke ; \ 
the Stage was imediately fwept, and I 
dilligent fearch made to find it, butt 
without fuccefs, foe as probably it had 
been taken from her, as fhe was oft in- 
viron'd with that infinite Crowd which 
tis impoflible to avoid vpon fuch occa- 
fion. Butt the lofs was foone repair'd, 
for his Royall Highnefs vnderftanding 
the trouble fhe was in, generoufely fent 
her wherewithall to make my Lady 
SufFolke a prefent of foe good a Jewell. 
For the reft of that dayes triumph, I 
have a particular account ftill by me 
of the rich Apparell fhe had on her, 
amounting, befides the Pearles and 
Pretious Stones, to above three hun- 
dred pounds, butt of all which fhe im- 
mediately difpofed her felfe, foe foone 
as ever fhe could gett clear of the 
Stage. Without complimenting any 
Creature, or trifling with the reft who 
ftaid the collation and refrefhment that 
was prepar'd, away fhe flipps like a 

Spiritt 



Mrs. Godolphin. 



Spiritt to Berkley Houfe, and to her 
little Oratorye ; whither I waited on 
her, and left her on her knees, thank- 
ing God that fhe was delivered from 
this vanity, and with her Saviour againe, 
never, fays fhe, will I come within this 
temptation more whilft I breath. 

And thus Mrs. Blagge tooke her 
leave of the pomp and glory of the 
world, and with frefh refolutions that 
if other circumftances did not intervene, 
namely, fuch as might foe alter her 
condition as decently to countenance 
her longer flay in thefe Parts, fhe 
would yett betake herfelfe to her de- 
fign'd retreat. She was not fatisfyed 
that thofe who could not butt take no- 
tice what Perfon it was fhe preferr'd 
before all the world, fhould fpeak of 
her withdrawing from Court, and live- 
ing now foe long near it without pro- 
ceeding any further, tho* divers could 
j not be driven from the opinion that fhe 

was 



f 



IOI 



102 



The Life of 



was allready marryed. Itt is certaine 
that excellent Man could never think 
of parting with her, nor fhe herfelfe 
from foe many Friends befides, as in- 
finitely vallued her; butt vnlefs he 
could alfoe decently have taken him- 
felfe from Court, which was the thing 
they both projected and defired, that 
they might wholy quit all dependancys 
which interrupted their liveing to- 
geather, butt which for many prudent 
confederations had been inconvenient 
for him as yett, me was not eafily per- 
fwaded to linger here and be vpon vn- \ 
certain tyes, who had all along in heri 
Eye the modelling of her life, foe as 
not to be obliged to thofe comply-') 
ances me was of neceffity to vndergoei' 
in a Station foe near to the Court, vn-i 
lefs Mr. G. mould fix on firme Im- 
ployment as might not only counte- 
nance her ftay and marrying, butt ren- 
der other circumftances eafy likewife 
tho', as I faid, there was nothing which;: 

they 



Mrs. Godolphin. 



they both did breathe after more then 
to have fettled fomewhere remote in 
the Country, from all Intanglements of 
the World. Thus farr me had pleafed 
herfelfe to accquaint me with her moft 
intimate concerns. I doe not affirme 
that to obviate fome objections of hers 
he meditated on the purchafe of that 
honorable Office which he afterwards 
fucceeded in, butt the Matter of the 
Robes, now Earle of Rochefter, dif- 
covering his intention about this tyme 
to part with that place, might, in my 
opinion, be an inducement with them 
to marry, and rather truft God with the 
event of things, then give the World 
occafion, after foe long expectation, to 
think me made a retreat out of rafhnefs 
or difcontent: wherefore vpon the 16th 
of May, which was AfTention Day, 
they both marryed tegeather in the 
Temple Church, by the Reverend 
Doctor Lake, one of his Royall High- 
nerTe Chaplaines, my Lady Berkley 

and 



103 



104 



The Life of 



and a Servant of the Brides onely being |j 
prefent, and I think nobody elfe, both 
the blefTed Paire receiveing the holy 
Sacrament, and confecrateing the So- 
lemnity with a double Miftery. 



Her not acquainting me with this 
particular of a good while after, occa- 
fioned a friendly quarrell betweene vs, 
that fhe who had intrufted me for many 
years with all her concerns, nay her 
greater! Inclinations, and vpon occafion 
not only named me for the particular 
Friend that mould be wittnefs of her jj 
Marriage, butt give her to her Huf- 
band, mould now with fuch Induftry 
conceale it from me. And now Tie 
tell your Ladyfhipp how I could not 
butt difcover it, for noe fooner was the ' 
Knott tyed, butt me one day deiired I 
would lett her pervfe all the Letters I 
had of hers, and which me knew I tooj 
religioufly referv'd, not that me could* 
be confcious of haveing ever written 

that 



Mrs. Godolphin. 



that to me which might not have paft 
the fevereft Eye, butt becaufe there 
being in many of them profeffions of 
the finceritye and holy friendfhipp that 
an excellent Soule (and fuch as hers 
was) could exprefs, they might by any 
accident poffibly fall into hands that 
prophane every thing, and moil, [the] 
innocent and virtuous ; I failed not to 
tranfmitt them to her, nor me to re- 
turne them, as indeed finding nothing 
in them which mould caufe her to de- 
prive me of a Treafure me knew I foe in- 
finitely vallued ; nor could I beleive that 
tho' fhe had given [herfelf ] to foe worthy 
a Perfon me defign'd by fending for her 
Letters to break with me, as Ladys vfe 
to doe with vnfortunate Rivalls : for 
thus me accompanyes her Pacquett : 

My Friend, This being Tuefday, a 
Day which long fince you know has 
belonged to a Friend of myne, I have 
putt togeather all the Letters, Papers, 

and 



i°5 



io6 



The Life of 



and other Fragments, excepting Medi- 
tations, which I think you have Coppyes 
of, and among which are fome Prayers 
of mine, and all your Bookes ; only 
that you laft fent me, and I am now 
reading, of the Intercourfe betweene 
Chrift and the Soule, I defire to 
retaine, becaufe now and then I am 
much pleafed and foftned with fome 
paflages of it ; and now I have this day fi 
prayed your prayers, thought your \ 
thoughts, wifh'd, I dare fay, your J 
wifhes, which were that I might every |j 
Day fett loofer and loofer to the things \ 
of this World, difcerning, as every Day 
I doe, the folly and vanity of it : how 
fhort all its Pleafures, how trifling all 
its Recreations, how falfe moft. of its |s 
Freindfhipps, how tranfitory every \ 
thing in it, and on the contrary, how { 
fweete the Service of God, how de- 
lightfull the meditateing on his Word : 
how pleafant the Converfation of the* 
Faithfull, and above all, how charme- 

ing 



Mrs. Godolphin. 



ing Prayer, how glorious our Hopes, 
how gratious our God is to all his Chil- 
dren, how gentle his Corrections, and 
how frequently by the firft Invitations 
of his Spiritt, he calls vs from our low 
Defignes to thofe great and noble ones 
of ferveing him, and attaineing eternall 
happinefs ; thefe have been this Dayes 
Thoughts and Imployment; for my 
Lady Hamilton being here, and fome 
Freinds att Cards, I have had the whole 
Day to myfelfe. Rejoyce with me my 
Friend and be exceeding glad, for foe 
it becomes vs whenever wee have op- 
pertunity of ferveing him. 

And now, Madam, by this, which 
accompanied the redition of her Letters, 
your Ladyfhipp may conclude what 
Court fhipp there vfed to pafs betweene 
vs; however, her folicitude thus for 
them on a fuddaine might well give me 
vmbrage, and I was refolved to live 
vnder an affected Ignorance, affured by 

knowing, 



107 



io8 



The Life of 



knowing, and as afterwards I learn'd, 
that this nicenefs could never proceed 
from herfelfe, but from fome other pre- 
valent obligation ; and I ever efteemed 
it an Impertinence to be over curious, 
when I found there was defigne of 
concealement, and mould have much 
wondred att it of her to me, butt that 
I was foe perfectly accquainted with 
her Virtues ; whereof one, and that 
none of the leaft care in her fex, was 
that whenever me was vnder a promife 
of Sacrifice, nothing in the World 
could vnlock her Bofome, or flack her I 
refolution. A Secrett was indeed a 
Secrett when comitted to her : and yett 
againe, when I called to mind the re- 
iterated PromifTes me had made me 
never to alter her condition without ad- 
vifeing with me, I was fomtymes in c 
fufpence of my Conjectures, and would !l 
often reproach myfelfe for the Sugges- 
tion. Nor did this a little confirme 
me that me was not marryed, that my i; 

Lady 



Mrs. Godolphin, 



Lady Berkley now vpon her goeing 
with her Hufband, defign'd AmbafTo- 
der Exterordinarye to the Court of 
France, and Plenepotentiarye att the 
famous Treaty of Nymeghen, me fo- 
lemnly confulted me about her accom- 
panying her Ladyfhipp to Paris, and 
flaying there with her fome competent 
tyme, to fee how God would difpofe of 
things. I muft acknowledg I was not 
foe averfe from this propofall of hers, 
as hopeing it might divert her melan- 
choly defigne and hank[ering] after 
Herefordfheir, and fince my fon, then 
butt a Youth, had importun'd me to 
lett him travell, I was the eafier inclin'd 
to gratifye him, vpon the afTureance I 
had of the great care ihe would have 
of him, fince he was not onely to accom- 
pany her in the way, butt be in the fame 
Houfe with her, and in all things in- 
join'd to follow her dirreclions. Nor 
ever could he have had foe bleffed an 
opportunitye of improveing himfelfe ; 

this 



109 



no 



The Life of 



this little felfe intereft obtain'd on me 
I confefs, att that tyme, butt fuch as I 'I 
would moft willingly have facrificed, 
could I have prevail'd with her to flay 
without purfueing her Notherne Jour- 
ney, where [the] abandoning herfelfe to 
Solitude, muft foone have ruin'd her 
health and made her vnhappy. 

This excurfion then concluded on, 
and lyeing intirely vpon me for her ji 
Provisions and Supplyes abroad, her 
mind feem'd to be much att eafe, butt i 
it was fome Months that this refolution ii 
was taken ere they fett forth, and all 
this tyme, I am perfwaded, (he and her 
Hufband liv'd with the fame referves 
that the Angells doe in Heaven, not |i 
thinking fitt to cohabitt till they de- 
clar'd their Marriage, which for reafons ' 
beft knowne to themfelv's they did f 
not doe till me came back from France 
againe. In this interim, and towards 
the latter end of June, me did me the i ; 

honour 



Mrs. Godolphin. 



honour to pafs a fortnight att my little 
Villa, and brought me a Letter of At- 
torney to tranfact all her concerns du- 
reing her abfence, as lookeing now 
every Day when my Lord Berkley 
would be difpatched and enter on his 
Journey, when behold vpon the 27 th 
a Fitt of an Appoplexy feizing on him 
as he was fitting att the Councell Table 
att White Hall, and continueing on 
him all that night, without the leaft 
appearance of releafing him from its 
mortall effects, or if that might be pof- 
fible, of ever reftoreing him to tollerable 
fence and vigour, banifh'd all thoughts 
of EmbarTyes, and confequently of our 
goeing into France. But God was 
more gratious to him, for the Phifitians 
had beyond all expectations, and even 
amidft difpaire, brought him not only 
out of this fatall Paroxyfme, butt after 
fome tyme to foe much ftrength (tho' 
in mod: men's opinions not perfectly 
I reftored to his memorye and abilityes) 

as 



II I 



112 



The Life of 



as nothing would divert him from his 
intended progrefs. On the ioth of J 
November his Excellency fett forth \ 
with his Traine, my fon and I accom- 
panying them the firft Day to Sittin- 
borne ; for in regard of his Lordmipps 
indifpofition they made butt eafy Jour- 
neys. Canterbury was our next nights 
repofe ; when in the Morning after wee 
had been att Prayers in the Cathedrall, 
Mrs. Godolphin and I walking alone 
togeather, me declared to me what ex- 
ceeding regrett me was in to leave her 
Friends. Not without many teares I 
expoftulated with her, why fhe would 
goe then, I am engaged, fayes fhe, to 
my Lady Berkley, who tells me I 
breake her Heart if I forfake her, and 
you fee in what condition her Lord is, 
and poore Woman, what would become 
of her if he mould dye, and me havet 
never a Friend by her? nor would I 
have People think I retire out of any 
other refpect. Butt Mr. E. if ever b 

returne 






Mrs. Godolphin. 



returne againe, and doe not marry, I 
will ftill retire, and end my Dayes 
among you, and you are like to have 
the fhare of the trouble : for me had 
often faid me would divide her Life 
among her Freinds, and did me the 
honour to putt me into the Rank of 
one of the firft. 

This, Madam, was the only tyme 
that in her Life fhe ever prevaricated 
with me, and cover'd it with that ad- 
drefs ; and was, I am moft affured, in 
deeper!: forrow, as all my former fufpi- 
cions of her being marryed vanifh't. 
Doe you not think, fayes me, that it 
afflicls me to the Soule to part with 
you, and from one who I am fure you 
beleive I love intirely, and leave in my 
Condition ? This, vttered with a fflood 
of forrow, I was not able to fuftaine 
without reciprocall kindnefs and ten- 
dernefs. Butt the tyme now call'd us 
I to break off this Converfation, the fad- 
deft 



i J 3 



ii4 



The Life of 



deft that in my Life I ever faw [her] in ; 
fhe had left her Heart att another Place, 
and with one that therefore did not ac- 
company her, becaufe he was of a ten- 
der nature, and durft not truft his Paf- 
fion, whilft their Defigne was to con- 
ceale their relation. Wee arrived this 
evening att Dover, where, after Supper, 
calling me into her Chamber, me fign'd 
and delivered me her Will, before her 
Maid, wherein fhe had me her Ad- 
miniftrator ; for it feemes her Hufband 
had impower'd her to difpofe of what 
me pleaf'd, and as me pleafed, as after- 
wards fhe told me : this done, me de- 
fir'd I would pray with her, and foe I f 
left her, as full of Sorrow as fhe could j- 
hold. 

Early the next Morning I waited on 
her againe, and againe, and fell into the 
fame refentments ; and that now fhe 
was foe near the tyme when fhe muft \ 
be feparated from them me lov'd, I 

know 



1 



Mrs. Godolphin, 



"5 



know not how, faid I, you part from 
your Lover, butt never may you feele 
what it is to part from a Friend. I 
beleive there is one that you really love, 
and that 'tis mutuall, how is it then 
you thus goe from him, and he from 
you ? this is ftrange proceedings, 'tis 
fpirituall, 'tis high, 'tis myfterious and 
fingular ; but find it a name if you can, 
for I confefs I vnderftand it not : doe 
you preferve ferenity of mind, and yett 
continue languifhing ? Nothing is in 
nature foe repugnant as Love and ab- 
fence, where nothing forbidds the object 
to be prefent. O heroick Soules, if 
you think to be att eafe, I mail be 
glad ; butt greatly oblig'd to learne the 
Secrett, and be taught to beare this 
Divulfion with as little paine, fince I 
know of noe Ingagement you have to 
goe from your Friends and thofe whome 
you profefs to love. Goe back, goe 
back then, and be happy both, for this 
Courfe will weare you both out, if 

really 



n6 



The Life of 



really you love him. For goodnefs 
fake doe not break my Heart (fays 
me), you fee I am engaged ; and then 
me wept and wore fuch a cloud of Sor- { 
row all that Morning, that me could 
hardly fpeake a word when I lead her 
downe to the Company, now prepar- 
ing to goe on board. Itt was vpon 
the 13 of November that vpon the 
Beach wee tooke folemn leave, and I 
mould difcover too much of my weak- 
nefs to exprefs the trouble I was in, to 
fee her overwhelm'd with grief that me 
could not fpeake one word ; butt thus 
me was carried into the Yatch, when 
being a little launched into the Sea, the 
Fort from the Caftle gave his Excel- 
lencye 1 7 Guns, and was anfwered with 
five, according to the Forme. 

I recount this paflage to your Lady- 
fhipp more minuitely, as being the \ 
moft parlionate and moft myfterious ; 
nor will I therefore make any reflec-f 

tions 



Mrs. Godolphin 



tions on it then what I am perfwaded 
your Ladyfhipp muft doe, and then 
conclude them with admiration how 
two Perfons that lov'd each other foe 
intirely, could fupport a Divorce foe 
long; or what might be the Caufe, if 
any other there were, butt a fingular 
and extreame nicenefs not to come to- 
geather, which they might be fufpected 
to doe, however to appearance they 
lived referv'd, till they publickly avow'd 
their Marriage, which you may remem- 
ber they forbare till they had made 
their Familyes and Equipage com- 
pleate. 

On the 5 th of December, fhe writt 
me word of their fafe arrivall att Paris, 
and how they had difpoPd of them- 
felvs ; togeather with an Account of 
my Lord AmbafTadors magnificent En- 
try and Audience att the French Court, 
with other pompious Circumftances, 
which yett foe little concern'd this ad- 
mirable 



117 



n8 



The Life of 



mirable Creature, that me would onely 
be noe Spectator of it, butt not foe 
much as once appeared att Court all 
the tyme of her being att the Ambaf- 
fadors Houfe. And tho' the Report 
of fuch a Beauty and Witt had foe 
forerun her arivall, by fome who had 
known her in the Circle att Court, that 
the French King was defireous to fee 
her in that att Saint Germans ; yett me 
foe order'd matters as to avoid all oc- 
casions of goeing thither, and came 
back to England without giveing that 
great Monarch the fatisfaction of one 
Glaunce, or her felfe of the Splendor 
or Vanity of his Court ; which is foe 
Singular a Note in her fex, and of one 
naturally foe curious and obferveing, 
that I cannot pafs it over without a 
juft remarke, efpecially being a Lady 
foe infinitely compleafant, and of a na- 
ture foe obligeing, Miftrefs alfoe of the 
French Tongue to fuch perfection, as 
rendered her capable of entertaining 

Perfons 



Mrs. Godolphin. 



119 



Perfons of the higher! qualitye, nor was 
this refervdnefs out of humour or An- 
gularity. She now confiders her felfe 
a marryed Woman, and tho' me went 
over to accompany my Lady, there was 
no neceffity for her to appeare att Court, 
where the virtues of ftrangers did not 
allwayes protect the Sex from Incon- 
veniencyes ; and me was refolv'd to 
give no occafion to be talk'd of or ad- 
mir'd. All the Tyme fhe could re- 
deeme from thofe Civilityes fhe owed 
my Lady, and which now begun to be 
very tedious to one whofe Heart was 
in another Country, fhe fpent in Devo- 
tion, reading excellent Bookes, and 
converfeing with fome few of her Ac- 
quaintance, butt without gratifyeing 
her curioflty by goeing out to fee the 
many rarity es which the famous Citty 
fhe was in invites all ftrangers to, vn- 
lefs it were that of her goeing one 
afternoone to a Cloyfter of Nuns ; 
whofe manner of liveing did not dif- 

pleafe 



i2o The Life of 



pleafe her, whilft nothing of their Su- 
perftition could endanger one foe well 
principled in her Religion. I will give 
your Ladyfhipp a tranfcript of the firfr. 
Letter fent me after her arrivall att 
Paris, to confirme it. 

cc My Friend, I promifed you an Ac- 
count of our Journey hither ; there was 
nothing in it of exterordnary, no ill acci- 
dent, nothing like Pintos Travells. Since 
I came to Paris, I have hardly been out 
of doores to vifit any body, butt there 
has been a Preift to vifitt me ; butt 
without Vanity I think I faid as muchi 
for my Opinion as he did for his. 1\ 
am now reading Mounfieur Clauds 
Defence de la Reformation, and like it; 
moft exceedingly ; foe as you need 
have noe fear of me on that fide. God 
knows, the more one fees of theirj 
Church, the more one finds to diflikel 
in itt ; I did not imagine the tenth 
part of the Superflition I find in it, yett] 

ftill 



Mrs. Godolphin. 



ftill could approve of their Orders. 
Their Nunneryes feem to be holy In- 
ftitutions, if they are abufed 'tis not 
their fault : what is not perverted ? 
Marriage itt felfe is become a mare,* 
and People feem to difpofe of their 
Children young, left the remedy in- 
creafe the difTeafe : butt when I have 
commended that baile of theirs, I have 
faid for them, I think, all that reafon- 
ably can be faid. One thing I muft 
tell you, Friend, People can have the 
Spleens here in Paris, lett them fay 
what they will of the Aire ; butt if 
Arithmetick will cure itt, I am goeing 
with my Charge, your Son, to be a 
very hard Student, and wee intend to 
be very wife." 

I prefent you, Madam, with this 
Fragment of a Letter, to mew your 
Ladyfhipp how me fpent her Tyme, 
when me could redeeme it from Com- 
plyances with the Company, and the 

Decencyes 



R 



121 



122 The Life of 



Decencyes of fuch Vifitts as were not 
to be refifted where Perfons of Quali- 
ty e came to fee her; butt of which fhe 
grew foe weary att laft — and for another 
reafon you may conjecture, — as within 
a Month or two of her arrivall, this 
excellent Creature was quite fick of 
France. 

" I am weary," fays me, in another 
Letter to me of the 4th of February, $ 
cc of my Life, I have here no tyme for 
my Soule. Cards wee play att four j 
Houres every Day ; whoever comes to ] 
vifitt, I muft be by to interprett ; where } 
ever a certaine Lady goes (if my Lady 
H. be not att hand), I muft trudge ; 
foe that poore I can fcarce fay my \ 
Prayers, and feldome or never read. 
Dear Friend, pray heartyly, that if it { 
be Gods will, I may be reftor'd to my i 
owne People, and to my God ; for ( 
tho' he be every where I cannott call jj 
vpon him as I was wont att home : { 

therefore 



Mrs. Godolphin. 



therefore for God's fake pray that I may 
fpeedily and once againe worfhipp him 
in his Congregation, and enjoy the af- 
firmance of his Grace, the prefence of 
my beft Freinds, whom as my Life I 
love. I could content my felfe with 
any thing, I think, were I once att 
home. Butt I muft doe nothing rafhly ; 
I hope yett in God through your 
Prayers, and my owne firme Refolu- 
tions, to gett home afToone as ever I 
can, being quite wearyed with dedi- 
cating my felfe perpetually to other 
People. 'Tis almoft one a Clock ere 
I can gett to Bedd, foe that in the 
Morning I am not able to rife before 
Eight, and pafling then an Hour in 
Prayer and Pfalmes, and an Houre 
and a halfe in reading, fometymes one 
Booke, fometymes another, by the 
tyme I am drefPd Publique Prayers 
begin ; then follows Dinner, then Talk 
till 3, then goe to Publick Prayers, 
I then prate againe, God knows till Six 

a Clock, 



123 



124 



The Life of 



a Clock, and then with much difficulty 
gett away to pray, for my felf, for 
you, and fome other, then am I call'd 
to Cards till Bed tyme. O pittye, pit- 
tye me, dear Friend!" 

I mail need repeate noe more of her 
fad laments ; diverfe have I by me, and 
yet it was ftill more for this interrup- 
tion of her affiduous courfe and devo- 
tion than for any other confederation. 
She lookes vpon it as an Exile from 
the Houfe of God, which like holy 
David, was to her intolerable. Even 
amongft the circumftances of fplendor, 
eafe, and worldly diverfion, fhe had 
been made beleive me mould be as 
much Miflrefs of her retirements att 
Paris as fhe was wont to be att Berkley 
Houfe : tho' neither there was fhe att 
the Liberty fhe breath'd after, Devo- 
tion, and Solitude, and Leafure for the 
improvement of her Mind. Butt this 
Affliction did not laft, for vpon my 

Lord 



Mrs. Godolphin, 



Lord AmbafTadors prepareing to goe 
to Nimoghen, and a reall pretence of 
an Affaire that concern'd her, namely, 
the difpofeing of a confiderable fumme 
of mony intrufted with me, me decently 
tooke the oppertunitye of Mr. Bernard 
Greenvile returneing out of Italy, (whi- 
ther he had been fent with a Publique 
Character to the great Duke of Tuf- 
cany) and paffing through Paris, of being 
conducted by that honorable and worthy 
Gentleman, without thofe difficultyes 
fhe might otherwife have mett with : 
nor doubt I butt my Lady Berkley, who 
was privy to her being marryed, and 
had now another Lady with her, lefs 
fcrupulous and more diverting, was the 
eafier wrought on to part with one fhe 
could fuffer to be fupplanted by another, 
after fuch profeffions of the mofl fuper- 
lative Friendfhipp and Indearments in 
the World, and which, I am certaine, 
contributed not a little to what afflicted 
this tender and good natured Creature. 

Mrs. 



125 



26 



The Life of 



Mrs. Godolphin (for foe now I call 
her) haveing thus taken leave of Paris, f 
arrived att Dover the 3d of Aprill, in J 
which interim I had by her direction I 
order'd her Accomodations to be re- 
mov'd from Berkley Houfe to Doctor I 
Warnetts in Co vent Garden, whofe r 
wife was her near relation. Soe on the f 
Sixth of Aprill me gave me notice of \ 
her being come to London, where the \ 
next Day I waited on her, to the no ■>■ 
fmall Joy, you may be fure, of all her \ 
Friends, as well as of my felfe. I will 'J 
not repeate to your Ladymipp what t 
had allready paff'd betweene vs in \ 
freindly expostulations, for the vnkind- 
nefs of her foe long concealing from \ 
me the circumftance of her Marriage, 1 
becaufe me had exprefPd her Sorrow 1 
with fuch an afTeveration as in my p 
whole Life before I never heard her ; 
vtter, foe as I could not butt forgive 
her heartyly. Nor did this fuffice, for 

ftie 



Mrs. Godolphin, 



fhe often acknowledg'd her fault, and 
beg'd of me that I would not diminifh 
ought of my good Opinion of her, to 
the lead wounding the intire Freind- 
fhipp which was betweene vs ; protefl- 
ing me had been foe afflicted in her 
felfe for it, that were it to doe againe, 
noe consideration or complyance in the 
World mould have prevailed on her to 
break her Promife, as fome had done 
to her regrett. In good earneft I was 
forry to fee her troubled for it, con- 
sidering the Empire of a paffionate 
Love, the Singular and filent way of 
the Lover, whofe gravitye and tem- 
per you know foe well, and with whome 
I had nothing of that intimacy and in- 
dear'd Friendfhipp, which might intitle 
me to the Confidence he has fince 
not thought me vnworthy of. I there- 
fore mention this pafTage, becaufe fhe 
was a Perfon of foe exact and nice 
a Confcience, that for all the World 
fhe would not have violated her Pro- 
mife; 



127 



128 



The Life of 



mife ; nor did I ever find it in the leaft 
fave this, which, when all is done, was 
of noe great importance. Save that I 
tooke it a little to heart me mould foe 
induftrioufly conceale a thing from one 
to whome me had all along comuni- 
cated her moft intimate thoughts ; and 
when that affection of hers was placed, 
which me would often acknowledge was 
not poffible for her to moderate as me 
defir'd, or bring to the leaft indifference, 
after all her innocent ftratagems and 
endeavours, and even fometymes refo- 
lutions, to quitt all the World, and 
think of him only in her Prayers. 

This fcene being thus over, to my \ 
great fatisfaclion, and, as vpon all oc 
cafions I advifed, when thofe melan- 
choly thoughts and fancyes vf'd to in- 
terrupt her quiett, wee will looke vpon 
this Lady now, as a fetled Woman, and : 
in the Armes of that excellent Perfon t 
the moft worthy to pofTefs her. Itt 

was 



Mrs. Godolphin, 



was on the 13 th of Aprill that fhe did 
me the honour of a vifitt att my houfe, 
exprefling infinite acknowledgments to 
Almighty God for his goodnefs to her, 
after a moil folemn manner, and that 
once againe fhe was come among her 
friends, beging of me, that I would 
continue to affift her with thofe little fer- 
vices fhe was pleafed to accept. And 
now haveing thought fitt to make their 
marriage noe longer a fecrett, — for me 
had not yett, I think, revealed it to her 
fitter, nor did his Majeftye or Court, 
know any thing of it, till fhe was in 
Equipage to appeare as became her — 
fhe obtained of the Queen a confider- 
able augmentation of a Leafe fhe had 
of certaine Lands in Spalding, about 
which fhe was pleafed to make vfe of 
my affiftance, for the fettlement of it. 
This was in May, and by the next month 
fhe had furnifh'd and formed her pretty 
family att Berkley houfe, whether on 
I the 27 th of June, fhe removed out of 

Covent 



129 



T 3° 



The Life of 



Covent Garden, and began to receive 
the vifitts and vfuall Congratulations 
vpon Marriages, foe vniverfally ap- 
proved of. 

Dureing this, I had the good fortune 
to fecure a confiderable fumme due to 
her, which lay in fome danger. V. in 
September began to build and accomo- 
date that pretty habitation for her in 
Scotland yard, which me contrived and 
adorn'd with foe much Ingenuity and 
decency ; and where your Ladyfhipp and 
all who knew and lov'd that excellent 
creature, have been foe chearfull, foe 
happy, and foe vnhappy, that I never 
can pafs or think vpon the place butt 
a thoufand fad thoughts affect me. 

Itt was dureing the fitting of that - 
Lodging, that me came downe to vs 
att Sayes Court againe, and bleffed the l 
little appartment you know, with her ' 
prefence, from the 28th of September, f 

to 



Mrs. Godolphin. 



to the 1 9th of October, her hufband 
then being att Newmarkett with his 
Majefty ; nor can your Ladyfhipp for- 
gett how fweetly me liv'd in their re- 
tirement all this winter, till hearing of 
my Lord Berkleys returne from his 
EmbafTey, fhe thought fitt to remove 
to her owne Lodgings, now finifhed att 
Whitehall for alltogeather ; which ac- 
cordingly me did on the laft of March, 
fettling with that pretty and difcreete 
oeconomye foe naturall to her ; and 
never was there fuch an houfehold of 
faith, never Lady more worthy of the 
bleffings fhe was entering into, who 
was foe thankfull to God for them. 

Cf Lord," (fays me, in a Letter to me) 
cc when I this day confidered my happy- 
nefs, in haveing foe perfect health of 
body, chearfullnefs of mind, noedifturb- 
ance from without, nor griefe within, 
my tyme my owne, my houfe quiett 
fweete and pretty, all manner of Con- 

veniencys 



131 



132 



The Life of 



veniencys for ferveing God, in publick 
and private, how happy in my Friends, 
Hufband, Relations, Servants, Creditt, 
and none to waite or attend on, but my 
dear and beloved God, from whome I 
receive all this, what a melting joy run 
through me att the thoughts of all thefe 
mercy es, and how did I think myfelfe 
obliged to goe to the foote of my Re- 
deemer, and acknowledge my owne 
vnworthinefs of his favour : butt then 
what words was I to make vfe of; true- 
ly att firfr, of none att all, but a devout 
filence did fpeake for me ; but after that 
I power'd out my prayers, and was in 
an amazement that there mould be fuch ; 
a fin as ingratitude, in the world, and \ 
that any mould neglect this great duty; \ 
butt why doe I fay all this to you my f 
friend ? truely that out of the abund- 
ance of the heart, the mouth fpeaketh, 
and I am ftill foe full of it, that I can- 
not forbeare exprefiing my thoughts to 
you." 

And 



Mrs. Godolphin, 



And that this was not a tranfient 
rapture, vpon the fence of her prefent 
Enjoyment, butt a permanent and de- 
vout affection ; vpon the 16 th day of 
October following, which day fhe con- 
ftantly vfed to give me an account of 
her concernes the year paft, I find this 
paffage in a Letter. 

" God Allmighty has been Infinitely 
gratious to me this year, for he has 
brought me back into my owne native 
Country in fafety, and honourably prof- 
pered me in my temporall affaires ; 
above my expectation continued my 
health, and my friends ; deliver'd me 
from the torments of fufpence ; given 
me a hufband that above all men living 
I vallue ; in a word, I have little to 
wifh butt a Child, and to contribute 
fomething to my friends happynefs, 
which I moft impatiently defire ; and 
I then I muft think before I can remem- 
ber, 



133 



134 The Life of 



ber, what I would have more then I \ 
enjoy in this world, butt the continu- f 
ance of a thankfull heart to my God." f 

I 
This, Madam, was the vfe and the r 
gratefull returne me made of the fhort f 
bleflings me enjoyed. Nor need I ace- ? 
quaint your Ladyfhipp, with what care 5 
fhe inftructed her fervants, how fedu- f 
loufly me kept her family to Religious l 
dutyes, how decently me received her 3 
friends, how profitably fhe imployed I'' 
every moment of tyme. Nothing in this [ 
world had me more to wifh, butt what ic 
God foone after gave her, that fhef 
might be Mother of a Child ; which i ( 
me foe paffionately defir'd after two f 
yeares that me yett had none, as in I 1 
the intervall me tooke home to her, a !; 
poore orphan girle, whome fhe tend- 1 
ed, inftrucled and cherifhed, with the ir 
tendernefs of a naturall mother. For I * 
have beheld when fhe drefPd and vn- ; 
drefPd it, and laid it to fleep with all ' r 

the 



Mrs. Godolphin, 



the circumftances of a carefull Mother 
and nurfe ; till it pleafed God to give 
her certaine hopes of the bleffing fhe 
thought onely wanting to confumate 
her happynefs. Nor did (as your Lady- 
fhipp well knows) any Inconveniency 
of that burthen, att all flacken her de- 
vout courfe, but improve it rather ; 
when to other confiderable Charity es a 
little before fhe was brought to bedd, fhe 
fent me £.70 to diftribute ; by which 
were releived many indigent people and 
poore houfe keepers ; and this was her 
owne entirely, for her excellent hufband 
had the year before fetled on her, not 
onely the product, but abfolute difpofall 
of the portion which fhe brought, to 
above £.4000, for the irreverfible con- 
tinuance thereof, they were pleafed to 
intruft me to manage the Stock, foe as 
now haveing ftill wherewithall to in- 
large her Charity e, without prejudice; 
there was indeed nothing wanting which 
ihe deflred more in the world, as often 

fhe 



J 35 



136 



The Life of 



me would repeate it to me, butt the life 
of that Dear Man, for foe me called her 
hufband, for whome me had now and 
then much apprehenfion, fubject as he 
was to fevors that had formerly en- 
dangered him, not in the leaft fore- 
bodeing of her owne departure, and 
leaveing him behind her ; tho' vpon a 
dreame of myne I once related to her j 
fome yeares before, me affirmed with I 
much earneflnefs that me mould cer- I 
tainely dye before me : which tho' I j 
tooke little notice of then, and beleived J 
nothing lefs, I cannot butt fince reflect | 
vpon ; efpecially when I call to mind, 
the order me gave the painter, that in 
the picture me fome years fince be- 
ftowed vpon me, me would be drawne 
in a lugubrous pofture, fitting vpon a 
Tomb ftone adorned with a Sepulcher 
Vrne ; nor was this att all my fancy, butt 
her exprefs defire. Butt to lay noe more 
ftrefs on this, how frequently have I 
heard her fay, me loved to be in the 

houfe 



Mrs. Godolphin. 



houfe of Mourning. Nor does your 
Ladyfhipp forgett how a few dayes be- 
fore her Reckoning was out, my Lady 
Vifcountefs Mordant giveing her avifitt, 
and finding her Eyes fwollen with teares, 
(he told her fhe had being doeing a fad, 
yett to her a pleating thing, and that 
was the writeing fomething to her huf- 
band which me requested he would 
doe for her, if me mould dye of that 
Child ; and then added the great Com- 
fort and fatisfaction it was to her, that 
me had putt her little concerns in or- 
der, and otherwife made preparations 
againft all furprizes, and was perfectly 
refign'd. This difcourfe for the prefent 
drew mutuall Tears, butt abated no- 
thing of her wonted chearfullnefs : when 
on the fifteenth of May, which was the 
Anniverfary of her marriage, fhe with 
your Ladyfhipp and fifler Gr. honour'd 
my poore houfe with a vifitt, (the laft 
fhe ever gave me, and therefore not to 
be forgotten) the perfect good humour 

fhe 



*37 



138 The Life of 



fhe then was in renders the memory 
of it fact, as well as that me was in the 
July after, when wee all went with her 
to Mr. Afhmoles att Lambath who di- 
verted her with many curiofityes : butt 
after this, growing bigger me rarely 
ftirr'd abroad, fave to the Chappell. Itt 
was yett againe on the fourth of Auguft, 
that my Lady Mordant and my wife 
(by affignation betweene them) went to 
dyne with her att her pretty appartment, 
they found her well, butt fomething 
more then vfually folemne ; fhe had it 
feemes been reading and forting of pa- 
pers and Letters, and how, fay es me, is it 
poffible to think of ones friends wee are 
to leave behind, without concernment ; 
with difcourfe to this purpofe. This 
more then ordinary Impulfe, that me 
mould not outlive the happinefs fhe had 
foe long wifhed for, made the Conver- 
fation lefs gay and chearfull then other- 
wife it was wont to be, and it feemes to 
me, fhe had fome apprehenfions exter- 

ordinary, 



Mrs. Godolphin, 



ordinary, which were not difcern'd by 
any of her friends ; when often wifhing 
that fhe might, if foe it pleaf'd God, 
bring her hufband one Child, and leave 
him that pledge of her intire affection. 
She feemed to thirft after nothing more 
than to be with God ; and veryly what 
eftimate me tooke of thefe poore fatis- 
factions here, when I have fometymes 
reflected on the circumftances of her 
youth and chearful temper, with the 
profpect of as much worldly happynefs 
as me could defire, I have extreamly 
wonder'd att her contempt of it, finding 
Hkewife that it did not proceed from 
any peevifh difcontent or Angularity e of 
humour, butt from aphilofophicall, wife 
and pious consideration of the viciffitude 
and inftabilitye of all earthly fruitions, 
and an ardent longing after that glori- 
ous ftate, where (faid me) I mall be 
perfectly att repofe, and fin no more. 
And that thefe were allmort her contin- 
uall thoughts and afpirations, fee how 

fhe 



139 



140 



The Life of 



fhe entertaines me, in a poftcript about 
the very tyme. 

f c Lett vs pray, that Gods Kingdome 
of Grace being received into our hearts, 
his Kingdome of Glory may fucceed, 
and foe wee ever be with the Lord; 
which indeed I long for, more then all 
the fatisfactions of this world ; really 
Friend there's nothing in it to be chofen 
for itfelfe. Is not eating to fatisfye the 
paine of hunger, fleepe to eafe our 
wearynefs, and other divertifements to 
take off the mind from being too intent 
on things that it cannot allwayes fupport 
without great inconveniency to its facul- 
tyes ? Retirement againe is to difcharge 
it of that burthen, and the ftaines it has 
contracted by being in converfation, and 
impertinent Company - 9 foe that vpon 
the matter, our intire life is in my 
opinion, an inquiry after remedyes, 
which doe often if not allways exchange 
rather than cure our infirmityes ; I ac- 
knowledge 



Mrs. Godolphin. 



knowledge that God has imparted to me 
many great bleffings, which if our na- 
ture were not fadly deprav'd, wee might 
exceedingly rejoyce in, butt wee make 
foe ill vfe of moft of them, that wee 
turne thofe things to mifcheifes, which 
are given to vs for our good &c." In this 
ftyle me goes on, and could a Seneca, 
or an Antoninus, or indeed the wifeft 
and holyeft perfon have vttered [aught] 
more divine and pioufly ferious : nor 
did me fay this only, butt me practif'd 
it : for with what devout and folemne 
preparations pafPd the reft of this fatall 
month ! Haveing received the blefTed 
facrament butt two dayes before fhe 
was brought to bedd, foe preventing 
all poflible furprizes, and waiteing now 
with her wonted alacritye and resigna- 
tion the approach of the conflict fhe 
was to enter vpon, fhe on the fecond of 
September, began firft to be fenfible of 
fome alteration in her temper, and dure- 
ing that night it was concluded it might 

be 



141 



142 



The Life of 



be her labour, and foe it was. With 
what exceeding patience, devotion, and 
courage fhe fuftain'd it, your Lady- 
fhipp, who was all the tyme aflifting, 
with both thofe excellent fitters, can beft 
tell. 

Itt was then on Tuefday the third 
of that vnfortunate Month, when come- 
ing about 1 1 a clock in the forenoone 
as my cuftome was, to vifitt her and 
afk of her health, that I found me was 
in Travell ; and you may eafyly imagine 
how extreamly I was concern'd, not to 
flirr from the houfe till I had fome af- 
fureance that all fucceeded well. And 
indeed to all appearance foe it did. For 
it pleaf'd God that within an hour, your 
Ladyfhipp brought me the joyfull ty- 
deings of a Man Child born into the 
world, and a very little after admitted 
me to fee and blefs that lovely Babe by 
the Mothers fide ; when the very firft 
word fhe fpake to me was, I hope you 

have 



Mrs. Godolphin, 



have given thanks to God for his infi- 
nite mercy to me ; O with what fatif- 
faction, with what joy and over rapture 
did I hear her pronounce it, with what 
fatisfaction and pleafure, did I fee the 
Mother fafe, and her defire accomplifh- 
ed, without any accident that could 
give the leaft vmbrage or fufpicion of 
approaching danger, foe as me thought 
of nothing more then rejoyceing and 
praifeing God, augureing a thoufand 
benedictions. 

I In this faire and hopefull condition 
me continued all that day, when her 
hufband, now att Windfor with the 
Court, being fent for to come to double 
and compleat the Joy, upon the Thurf- 
day following, his little Son was made 
a Chriftian, [his name Francis] in pre- 
fence of both the parents ; his Vnkle 
Sir William Godolphyn, Mr. Harvey, 
Treafurer to her Majeftye, and Lady 
Berkley being fufceptors ; the Chaplaines 

who 



*43 



144 



The Life of 



who conftantly vfed to fay prayers in 
the family, performeing the office. 

Seeing this dear Lady foe well layd, 
the Child Baptized, and every thing in 
a hopefull way, my wife, who was now 
to vifitt her, and I, return'd home, as 
full of joy and fatisfaction as wee could 
be, for the beft and moil eftimable 
friend wee had in the world ; butt ah, 
how were wee both furprized, when on 
the Sunday following there was a Letter 
delivered me in the Church, about the ! 
latter end of the Morning Sermon, in : 
this dolefull ftyle. 

cc My poore wife is fallen very ill of a i 
fFevor, with lightnefs in her head. You ; 
know who fayes the prayer of the faith- 
full mall fave the fick ; I humbly begg 
your charitable prayers, for this poore 
creature and your diffracted fervant. 
London : Saturday, 9 a clock." 

Ohow 



Mrs. Godolphin, 



H5 



O how was 1 {truck through, as with 
a dart. I am not able to tell your 
Ladyfhipp with how fad and apprehen- 
five thoughts my wife and I haftned 
imediately to Whitehall ; where wee 
found her in all the circumftances of 
danger; and tho' diftinctly knowing 
thofe who came to vifitt and were about 
her, yett had the diftemper allready foe 
farr prevailed on her fpiritts, that it 
was a fad and mournfull thing to find 
how her fancy and vfuall temper was 
diforder'd. To all this, the feafon hap- 
pen'd to prove exceffively hott, which 
exceedingly contributed to her furTer- 
ing. There had been, when I came, 
butt one phyfitian {&nt for ; butt my 
wife, fufpecting (with others) that this 
violent furprize could not likely pro- 
ceed from either the intemperance of 
the weather or impaire of one, foe well 
laid as to all appearance as fhe was, 
butt poflibly from accident, itt was 
thought advifable to call an experi- 
ence 



146 



The Life of 



enc'd perfon in cafes of this nature. 
Butt itt was fo very long ere the doctor 
could be found, and foe late ere he 
came, that through the frequency and 
violence of her fitts, which were now 
delirious, her fpiritts were foe farr 
wafted, that tho' he were of the fame 
opinion, and that fomething was omit- 
ted, yett would he by no intreaty be 
perfwaded to apply any thing butt in 
conjunction with other phifityans. Doc- 
tor Lowther being calPd away fome 
houres before, and befides it being now 
farr in the night, itt was with exteror- 
dinary dificulty that I gott my antient 
dear and religious friend, Doctor Need- 
ham, fince with God, and then but 
valetudinarye himfelfe, to come. Others 
who were fent for, weary ed as they pre- 
tended with toyle, would not be pre- 
vailed with to rife, except Doctor Short; 
foe as till now, there had been little at- 
tempted ; nor any thing even by thefe 
with any arTureance, foe farr me was 

fpent 



Mrs. Godolphin, 



fpent, and her condition not admitting 
of proper remedyes for what they 
feared, gave flender hopes of fuccefs. 
The Deliriums increafe, and allbeit 
with fome promife and intermiffions, to 
appearance, yett were they only fuch 
as proceeded from languor and tired- 
nefs ; foe that tho' me ftill retained her 
memory of the perfons about her, what 
me faid was altogeather inconfiftent, 
and growing more impetuous and de- 
plorable, gave prefage of uttmoft dan- 
ger. This only was highly remarkeable, 
that in all this diforder of fancy and 
allmoft: diftraclion, fhe vttered not one 
fyllable or expremon that might in the 
leaft offend God, or any creature about 
her ; a thing which dureing thefe alien- 
ations of mind does feldome happen ; 
butt which mewed how bleffed a thing 
it was to live holy lye and carefully, as 
this Innocent did ; perfons that are de- 
lirious vfually vttering extravigancyes 
that difcover their worft inclinations. 

Butt 



^7 



148 The Life of 



Butt fhe was now in a manner fpent, 
and no't could phyfitians doe, when I 
neither the cupping nor the pidgeons, \ 
thofe laft of remedyes, wrought any \ 
effect. Other things had been per- \ 
happs convenient ; butt there was noe \ 
ftrength to bear inward remedyes, when t 
even the moft gentle had been fatall ; » 
and there now appearing a kind of { 
Erifypulus on her back, neck, andarmes, J 
the malignancy grew defperate, — and | 
this excellent Creature paffes a fiery j 
Triall, exercifed in all the circumftances \ 
of paine and weary nefs. Wee beheld 
her now languifhing vnder the laft con- 
flicts till the morning of the next day. 
There had been, your Ladyfhipp 
knows, a confultation the night before, 
and a refolution of attempting fearch- 
ing att a venture, if fhe lived till day, 
and the rather that the phyfitians might 
not feeme to doe nothing in a defperate 
cafe, than expecting any good effect 
without a miracle. Butt when the morn- 
ing 



Mrs. Godolphin. 



ing came, finding her frill more debili- 
tated, and the paroxyfmes impetuous 
and allmoft. vnceffant, all hopes being 
given over, vpon the importunitye and 
recomendation of that excellent and 
pious lady, the Vifcountefs Mordant, 
they permitted one Doctor Ffaber to 
make tryall of a Cordiall, celebrated by 
her Ladyfhipp for the great matter it 
had performed, and indeed it feem'd 
att firft to compofe her, and fomewhat 
allay the violence of her fitts. Butt the 
moments were fhort, and her conflict is 
repeated, with the vfuall violence ; till 
fhe who was wont to raife her felfe vp 
as oft as they came, now flnkes downe 
as no more able to fuflaine them ; her 
fpiritts faint: till no more pulfe per- 
ceiveable, — for your Ladyfhipp and I 
held her all this while by the hands, — 
with the moft ardent prayers and offices 
of the holy Man, who continually at- 
tended, he earneflly, and wee all de- 
voutly recomend, and fhe quietly ren- 
ders 



149 



150 The Life of 



ders vp her happy foule to her blerTed 
Redeemer, in whofe bofome me is now 
deliver'd from all earthly mirTeryes, and \ 
afTumed into thofe blifsfull Manfionsl 
prepared for his Saints, and fuch as like 
her excellent in virtue. i 

Thus ended this incomparable Lady : 
our never to be fufficiently lamented; 
loffe : leaveing not onely a difconfolate ; 
Hufband, whofe vnexprefTible griefei 
and deep affliction would hardly fufFer 
him to be fpectator of her languifh- 
merits, drown'd in tears and proftrate 
att the mercy feate, butt all her Re- ; 
lations, and who had the honour to j 
know her in as much reall and pun- 
gent forrow as Chriftians and tender 
hearts were capable to exprefs, and as 
was highly due for foe fencible and vni- i 
verfall a lofs, and foe infinitely de- 1 
plor'd. 

This fatall houre was (your Lady- 

fhipp 



Mrs. Godolphin. 151 

fhipp knows) about one o'clock, att 
noone on the Munday, September the 
nineth, 1678, in the 25 year and prime 
of her age. O vnparalelPd lofs ! O 
griefe indicible ! By me never to be 
forgotten — never to be overcome ! Nor 
pafs I the fad anniverfary and lugu- 
bruous period, without the moft fenci- 
ble emotions, forrow that draws tears 
from my very heart whilft I am recite- 
ing it. 

Butt thus me pafPd to a better 
World, when only worthy of her, when 
as if prefageing what was att hand, fhe 
that very day feavenight (as I noted) 
furnifh'd herfelfe with the heavenly 
Viaticum, after an extordinary prepara- 
tion, preventing the poftible disadvan- 
tages of what might furprize her fpi- 
ritts and diforder her recollection with 
a moft pious and heavenly addrefs. Nor 
was this taken notice of onely by thofe 
who were wittnefTes of it fome dayes 

before 



152 



The Life of 



before fhe was brought to bedd, but i 
fignally appeared in that paper which i 
fhe had left in the hands of her in- { 
dear'd Sifter in law Miftrefs Bofcawen, \ 
to deliver her Hufband, in cafe of mor- \ 
tall accident, which foe foone as it was \ 
poftible to compofe his and the vni- r 
verfall grief to any temper, was per- 
form'd. 

cc My deare, not knowing how God 
Allmighty may deale with me, I think 
it my beft courfe to fettle my affaires, ; 
foe as that, in cafe I be to leave this 
world, noe earthly thing may take vp j 
my thoughts. In the fir ft place, my j 
dear, beleive me, that of all earthly 
things you were and are the moft dear ; 
to me ; and I am convinced that no- 
body ever had a better or halfe foe good | 
a hufband. I begg your pardon for all 
my Imperfections, which I am fencible 
were many ; but fuch as I could help, 
I did endeavour to fubdue, that they 

might 



Mrs. Godolphin, 



might not trouble you : for thofe defects 
which I could not rectifye in myfelfe, 
as want of judgement in the manage- 
ment of my family and houfehold af- 
faires, which I owne myfelfe to be very 
defective in, I hope your good nature 
will excufe, and not remember to my dif- 
ad vantage when I am gone. I afk your 
pardon for the vanitye of my humour, 
and for being often [more] melancholy 
and fplenetick than I had caufe to be. 
I was allwayes afham'd of myfelfe when 
I was foe, and forry for it, and I hope 
it will come into the number of thofe 
faults which I could not help. Now (my 
dear) God be with thee ; pray God blefs 
you, and keepe you his faithfull Servant 
for ever. In him be all thy joy and 
delight, fatisfaclion and comfort, and 
doe not grieve too much for me, fince 
I hope I mail be happy, being very 
much refign'd to God's will, and leave- 
ing this World with, I hope, in Chrift 
Jefus, a good Confcience. Now, my 

dear. 



153 



* 54 



The Life of 



dear, if you pleafe, permitt me to afk 
leave to beftow a legacy or two amongft 
my friends and fervants. In the firft 
place, if it might be, I could wifh, 
when the Child I goe with grows of a 
fitt bignefs, itt might be either with my 
lifter Bofcawen, or my lifter Penn, for 
I know they will be carefull of its better 
Part, which is the cheife thing I am 
concern'd about. In the next place, I 
defire you would give B [her wo- 
man] one hundred pounds (the vfe of 
which being fix pounds a year, fhe may 
live att her Ffather's houfe vpon, if fhe 
will, for I fear fhe will fcarce gett any 
body to bear with her want of good 
fervice, as I have done). For my 
Maid, if fhe doe not marry, I hope fhe 
will be kept to looke after my Child, 
when it comes from Nurfe. In the 
meane tyme, you will give her board 
wages. For my two footemen, I hope 
you will gett them places as foone as 
you can, etc. However, if you be not 

difpofed 



Mrs. Godolphin, 



difpofed to keepe them, you will give 
them att parting ten pounds a piece. 
I defire you will give my Sifters my 
mare of the Queen's Leafe, fifty pounds 
a year ; itt is betweene them two, my 
vnmarryed ones I meane ; and to my 
Cozen Sarah an hundred pounds in 
mony. To my Lady Silvius my great 
diamond ring, &c. 

cc Now, my dear, I have done, if 
you pleafe to lay out about an hundred 
pounds more in rings for your five 
Sifters, to remember me by. I know 
nothing more I have to defire of you, 
but that you will fometymes think of 
me with kindnefs, butt never with too 
much griefe. For my Funerall, I de- 
fire there may be noe coft beftowed 
vpon it att all ; butt if I might, I would 
begg that my body might lye where I 
have had fuch a mind to goe myfelfe, 
att Godolphyn, among your freinds. I 
beleive, if I were carried by Sea, the 

expence 



1 S5 



i56 



The Life of 



expence would not be very great ; but 
I don't infift: vpon that place, if you 
think it not reafonable ; lay me where 
you pleafe. 

<c Pray, my deare, be kind to that 
poore Child I leave behind, for my 
fake, who lov'd you foe well ; butt I 
need not bidd you, I know you will be 
foe. If you mould think fitt to marry 
againe, I humbly begg that little for- 
tune I brought, may be firffc fettled 
vpon my Child, and that as long as 
any of your Sifters live, you will lett it 
(if they permitt) live with them, for it 
may be, tho' you will love itt, my fuc- 
cefTor will not be foe fond of it, as they 
I am fure will be. 



cc Now, my deare Child, farewell ; 
the peace of God, which parTeth all 
vnderftanding, keepe your heart and 
mind in the knowledge and love of 
God and of his Son Jefus Chrift our 

Lord ; 



Mrs. Godolphin. 157 



Lord ; and the bleffing of God All- 
mighty, the Father, the Sonn, and the 
Holy Goft, be with thee, and remaine 
with thee, ever and ever. Amen." 

Then follows what fhe had intrufted 
me withall. 

This indearing Inftance of a truely 
loyall and admirable Wife were capa- 
ble of the moll: noble reflections, foe 
religious, foe tender, foe difcreete, and 
every way becomeing. That fhe accufes 
herfelfe of, being fometymes more fo- 
lemne then vfually young Ladyes are, 
and which fhe calls the Spleen, I can 
by noe meanes admitt a fault : and if 
her other imperfections, of which fhe 
beggs pardon, were but fuch as her 
want of oeconomique prudence in the 
management of her family, I dare pro- 
nounce her the molt confummate of all 
the perfections that can adorne or re- 
comend her fex. 

I fay 



i S 8 



The Life of 



I fay nothing of that wonderfull af- 
faction to her Hufband, that made her 
foe defireous to mingle her dirt with his 
in a dormitorye 300 miles from the reft 
of all her Relations, and where to my 
knowledge fhe would more contentedly 
have pafPd all her dayes with him then 
amidft the fplendor of the greateft 
Court, and where he might be the |: 
Horizon, all that flie could or cared to ] 
fee. 



The education of her dear Child is 
next : Obferve with what care for the \ 
better Part, with what excellent choice 
for the perfon to whome fhe recomended \ 
it. Nor does me extend her kindnefs ' 
only to her Relations, butt the meaneft ' 
of her Servants. As for the Poore, me 
had not onely fent thofe good workes 
before her, which fhe now enjoy es the - 
treafure and reward of in Heaven, butt : 
tooke order they might be continued 

after 



Mrs. Godolphin, 



after her, and fhe being dead yett 
fpeakes. 

I might haply have taken it vnkind- 
ly, if me had named foe much as a bro- 
ther, and left me out; butt the Legatyes 
fhe bequeathed, or rather defired her 
Hufband to gratifye her in, were only 
to her Sifters and your Ladyfhipp, ex- 
cept what fhe beftows among her Do- 
meftick ; to one of which fhe gave noe 
lefs then an hundred pounds, and to 
her owne Sifters the vallue of a thou- 
fand ; laftly, to me the honour (att the 
foote of this Paper) of being mentioned 
the depofitarye of her Truft as I was 
the diftributer of her Bounty. Butt 
which was more obligeing, the folemne 
profeftion to her Hufband, a little be- 
fore her Sicknefs, that fhe knew of no- 
thing more fhe had to finifh or wifh 
for in this World, butt that fhe might 
doe me fome fignall kindnefs. I confefs 
fhe had often both faid and written foe 

to 



59 



i6o 



The Life of 



to me, butt that me mould think of it 
as a Concerne doubly indeares her me- 
mory. This (fayes that excellent Crea- 
ture) fhe has left me to doe, and Ma- 
dam, he has done it, in allowing me 
the honour of his freindfhipp, and ac- 
cepting my little fervices ; for the reft, 
I have her Picture in the houfe, and the 
Idea of her virtues in my heart, befides 
a thoufand exprerlions of a religious 
and noble Friendihipp, vnder her owne 
fair hand, which I preferve and value 
above all me could elfe bequeath me. 



There was another fmall Pacquett 
feal'd vp, which fhe defired by the fu- 
perfcription might be burnt, and not 
open'd, as accordingly it was perform'd, 
and, as I conceive, contained the Cy- 
pher onely by which fhe vfually corre- 
fponded with her ghoflly Father, the 
Deane of Hereford ; or fome particu- 
lars, which fhe would not truft her 
memory with, in cafe fhe had lived, for 

as 



Mrs. Godolphin, 



as I accquainted your Ladyfhipp, me 
kept a Catalogue of mercyes, deliver- 
ances, fucceffes, refolutions, and other 
afliftances, for the dirTcuflion of her 
Confcience with the moft accurate nice- 
nefs. Butt I enter not into this Se- 
crett. 

Thus began, lived, and ended this 
incomparable Chriftian, Virgin, Wife, 
and Freind, for an emulous example of 
perfection in all thofe capacityes. Butt 
after all I have faid, impoflible will it 
be to conceive what fhe was, without 
endeavouring to imitate and attaine 
thofe excellencyes and early virtues 
which made her what fhe was : to mew 
you that — , fomething I have here at- 
tempted according to my poore ability; 
butt he were a rare Artift indeed [who] 
could reach the orriginall, and give thofe 
laft and liveing touches which mould 
make it breathe. But, Madam, that is 
not to be expreffed by lights and fha- 

dows 



161 



l62 



The Life of 



dows which is alltogeather illuftrious, 
and has nothing in it darke. 

Here, then, Madam, after I have 
recounted to you her Life, — butt which 
reaches the profill onely, and wants a 
world of finifhing, — I mould, according 
to the ufuall method, conclude it with 
her Character, if that accomplimed 
peice were not referved for a greater 
Matter, and one that could defcribe her 
mind. All I can pretend to, will 
hardly reach the out ftrokes, and when 
I mall have done my beft, be butt an 
imperfect copy. 

Add this paper (Electra) to the far- 
die of my other Impertinencyes ; butt 
take heed to the ftepps and progrefs 
you make ; for if I live, I will write 
your life, att leaft from the firft. ap- 
proaches of our friendfhipp, till I carry it 
into other Manfions. But becaufe your 
great humility mail not fuffer by the 

admirable 



Mrs. Godolphin. 



admirable things I muft fay of you, nor 
the brightnefs of the Subject be eclipfed 
by the defects of the Inftrument, it mall 
be under fuppofed names, but in veri- 
table inftances; for either wee want fuch 
examples for good writers to exercife 
their flyle and talents on, or good 
writers to tranfmitt them to pofteritye. 

I know not really how me could doe 
the age wee live in more Juftice, nor 
leave that to come a nobler monument 
of Gratitude for the Improvements your 
Converfation has taught it : whilft Elec- 
tra knows this, fhe will need noe Socrates 
or Zeno to ftand before her ; fhe re- 
veres herfelfe, and can doe nothing be- 
low her dignitye. I proteft to you, the 
thought that fhe is alwayes prefent, 
and the contemplation of her vertues, is 
more to me than a thoufand dead phi- 
lofophers. But wee have a better mo- 
nitor, and it were an imbecility infi- 
nitely beneath us, to need the veneration 

of 



163 



164 



The Life of 



of men, when God, — all Eare and Eye, 
omnifcient and omniprefent, — obferves 
both our words and actions. Lett us 
therefore, both, foe fpeak with God as 
if men heard us, and fo converfe with 
men as if God faw us. 

Behold, Madam, what I once fub- 
fcribed at the foote of a Letter to this 
blefTed Creature ; and often me would 
fmile at what I ufed to repeate upon 
this fubject, and as often did I difbe- 
leive my felfe. Far, very far was it from 
my imagination, farther, infinitely far- 
ther from my deiires, to furvive (for) 
this office ; who had it conftantly in 
my wifhes, that me might clofe my 
eyes ; butt foe it has pleafed God, that 
I mould verifye my prophecy, and on 
your Ladyfhipp's comand, abfolve my 
promife together. I have written her 
Life, and mould now prefent your 
Ladyfhip with her Picture : here are 
Colours, but where is (as I faid) the 

Mafter? 



Mrs. Godolphin. 



Matter? She fat indeed fome confi- 
derable tyme to me, and her converfa- 
tion had been enough to infpire an 
Artift ; but I afrure you, there are fome 
peculiar Graces, which the moft fkill- 
full doe not arrive to in their moft ela- 
borate and finifhed pieces. And me 
was full of thofe, and fuch as I never 
yet did fee in any of her fex but in 
her alone ; and am certaine never mail, 
unlefs it be in thofe few pieces me drew 
her felfe, whereof your Ladyfhipp is a 
breathing and illuftrious one, whilft you 
tread the pathes of her piety and vir- 
tues : this, Madam, I pretend to know, 
and to mew you from whome I take 
my meafures. 

The Picture. 

Lett me iirft then recall to your 
Ladyfhipps remembrance how me 
ufually parTed the day, for an inftance 
allmoft inimitable in the ftation where 

me 



165 



i66 



The Life of 



fhe was, the Court. I will begin with |t 
Sunday the firfl of the weeke. I 

Were it never foe dark, wett, or J 
uncomfortable weather, dureing the fe- ii 
verity of winter, fhe would rarely omit 
being att the Chappell att 7 a'clock < 
prayers, and if a Comunion day, how } 
late foever her attendance were on the 1 
Queen, and her owne exterordinary ti 
preparation kept her up, fhe would be $ 
drefled and att her private Devotions i 
fome houres before the publick office f 
began. This brings to remembrance r 
what I could not then but fmile att, jl 
that finding one day a long pack thread \ 
pafTing through the key hole of her J 
chamber doore, and reaching to her \ 
bed's head, (oppofite to that of your I 
fifters, if I be not miftaken,) and in- j 
quireing what it fingnifyed, I att laft 
underflood, itt had been to awaken her : 
early in the morning, the Centinell, 
whofe ftation was of courfe near the en- 
trance, 



Mrs. Godolphin, 



! trance, being defired to pull it very hard 
att fuch an hour, whilft the other extream 
was tyed fafl about her wrift, fearing 
her maid might over fleep her felfe, or 
call her later then me had appointed. 

But befides the monthly Comunions, 
fhe rarely miffed a Sunday throughout 
the whole Year, wherein fhe did not re- 
ceive the holy Sacrament, if fhe were 
in towne and tollerable health ; and I 
well know fhe had thofe who gave her 
conflant advertifement where it was ce- 
lebrated upon fome more folemn fefti- 
vals, befides not feldome on the weeke 
days affifting at one poore creature's or 
other ; and when fometymes, being in 
the Country, or on a Journey, fhe had 
not thefe oppertunityes, fhe made ufe 
of a devout meditation upon that facred 
Miftery, by way of mentall Communion, 
foe as fhe was in a continuall flate of 
preparation : and O, with what unfpeak- 
able care and nicenefs did fhe ufe to 
drefs and trim her foul againft this 

Heavenly 



167 



i68 



The Life of 



Heavenly Banquett; with what flagrant 
devotion at the Altar. I doe affaire 
your Ladyfhipp, I have feen her receive 
the holy fymbolls, with fuch an humble 
and melting joy in her countenance, as j 
feem'd to be fomething of tranfport, [ 
not to fay angelic — fomething I cannot 
defcribe : and fne has her felfe confeffed 
to me to have felt in her foule fuch in- | 
fluxes of heavenly Joy as have allmoft, 
carryed her into another world ; I doe 
not call them Rapts and Illapfes, be- 
caufe fhe would not have endured to be 
efteemed above other humble Chriftians; 
butt that fhe was fometymes vifittedi 
with exterordinary favours I have 
many reafons to believe : fee what upon 
another occaflon fhe writes to me. 

cc O, my friend, how happy was I 
on Sunday laft. By reafon of this foolifh 
play," (of which I have allready given 
your Ladyfhipp an account,) cc moil: 
imperfect were my preparations, and 

yett 



Mrs. Godolphin. 



yett I do not remember that God was 
ever more gracious to me but once 
afore ; and indeed that tyme I had foe 
great a fence of my owne unworthynefs 
and the wonderfull condefcencion and 
love of God, that I had like to have 
fallen flat on my face; butt that excepted 
this was the moft refreshing. O Jefu, 
(faid I,) how happy are wee, how 
bleffed, that have the Lord for our 
God. And you, blerTed Angells, who 
are prefent att thefe affemblyes, ad- 
mireing the heavenly bounty, I tell you 
I was even diflblved with love to God. 
And yett, after all this, what wretched 
things wee are : I was drowfy att 
Church, wandering in my thoughts, and 
forgettfull of thefe favours that very 
day ; and great caufe I had to lament my 
finns of even that day. Thus I ac- 
knowledge to you Gods love to my 
poore foule, and my foule ingratitude 
to him ; that you may pray for the con- 
tinuance of the one, and I truft the other 

will 



169 



170 



The Life of 



will in tyme grow lefs." See this hum- 
ble foule. But I fubjoyne one more. 

" I blefs God," (fays me,) f f I grow 
dayly lefs fond of the world, more 
thankfull to God, lefs folicitous for 
outward things, and more thirfly after 
the bleffed Sacrament, not as I was 
wont, nor becaufe I hold it my duty, 
but out of an ardent defire to comme- 
morate my Saviour's death, and to be 
againe entertained with the wonderfull 
pleafure that I feele there, and noe 
where elfe. All worldly joy es, all fplen- ; 
did ornaments, titles and honour, would j 
I bring to the feete of my crucifyed l 
Saviour." 

Nor did this bleffed Saint hear the i 
word of God with lefs reverence : im- f 
ploying that day allmoft intirely in t 
pious meditations, and never failing to 
recollect what me had heard, with that 
diligence, that there was not a Sermon } 

but 



Mrs. Godolphin. 



but what flie had abstracted, writeing 
downe the principall heads of the whole 
difcourfe, foe foone as fhe came from 
Church (if me had leifure), or, to be 
fure, in the evening ere fhe flept ; and 
this courfe fhe never omitted, nor to 
repeat what fhe obferved of moil in- 
ftrudlive : and her memory was foe 
happy, as nothing material! efcaped her. 
This, to my aftonifhment, I can tef- 
tifye. 

How would this Lady rejoyce att the 
approach of the Lord's day. She has 
often told me, fhe felt another foule in 
her, and that there was nothing more 
afflicted her, than thofe impertinent 
vifitts on Sunday Evenings, which fhe 
avoided with all imaginable induftry ; 
whilft yett feldome did fhe pafs one 
without goeing to vifitt, pray by, or 
inftrucl: fome poore religious Creature 
or other, tho' it were to the remoter! 
part of the Towne, and fometymes, if 

the 



171 



172 



The Life of 



the feafon were inviteing, walke into 
the fields or Gardens to contemplate 
the workes of God. In a word, fhe 
was allwayes foe folemnly chearfull up- 
on that day, and foe devout, that with- 
out lookeing into the Kalender, one 
might have read it in her countenance. 
Thus was the Sunday taken up in 
prayers, hearing, receiveing, meditate- j 
ing on the word and workes of God, i 
acts of Charity, and other holy exercifes, 1 
without the leaft formalitye or con- t 
fufion, becaufe fhe had caft all her af- 
fairs into fuch a method, as rendered it 
delightfull as well as holy. 

Vpon feftivall dayes, fhe never \ 
omitted the offices of the Church ; take- ; 
ing thofe opportunityes of vifitting \ 
poore fick people, relieveing and com- 
forting them ; and then would lengthen 
her evening retirements with proper \ 
meditations on the Myftery, or come- 
moration; for which fhe had of her owne 

collection, 



Mrs. Godolphin, 



collection, appofite entertainments : butt 
then upon indicted faft dayes, befides 
what fhe weekly fett apart her felfe, 
and (efpecially before the Monthly Co- 
munions) how exterordinary were her 
receffes and devotions on every Friday, 
when me rarely flirr'd out of her little 
Oratorye butt to publique prayers, and 
then would end the evenings in vifitts 
of charity ; and did for feverall years 
obferve the Lent with ftrictnefs, both 
as to her reflections and devotion, till 
finding it much impaire her health and 
delicate conftitution, fomething of thofe 
fevere mortifications fhe was per- 
fwaded to abate ; only the holy weeke 
her excercifes was extended to all the 
parts of duty, and more folemn prepa- 
ration, fpent in an uninterrupted courfe 
of penitentiall and exterordnary devo- 
tion, yett without fuperftitious ufages, 
or the leaft moroflhefs. 

Vpon fuch Anniverfaryes, fhe would 

be 



l 73 



*74 



The Life of 



be early att the Chappell ; and fome- 
tymes I have knowne her mutt up in 
the Church after the publick offices 
have been ended, without returneing 
to her Chamber att all, to prevent im- 
pertinent vifttts and avocations, and 
that fhe might fpend the day in conti- 
nuall devotion. With thefe aufterityes 
pafTed me the dayes of abftinence ; nay, \ 
though it fell upon a feftivall, and ! 
when others thought themfelves att li- 
berty. This recalls to me an anfwer 
which me once return'd me, kindly re- 
proveing her for a feverity on a cer- 
taine holy day. 

cf As to falling on a feftivall," (fayes [ 
fhe,) cc I had not done it, butt that I : 
had for it the opinion of a learned and 
reverend Bifhopp, who told me it was ;r 
not a fafting day of our owne make- 
ing; wee might, when a faft and a* 
feaft of the Church meete, feaft att 
Church and faft att home ; which I did, 

and 



Mrs. Godolphin. ij$ 

and it was a good day with me. I 
could be content never to dyne foe long 
as I live, foe as I might fpend every day 
like that." 

By this your Ladyfhipp may fee how 
well advifed me was in all me did, and 
what exterordnary guft and fatisfaclion 
me received in her devout intercourfes. 

Butt the truth is, not onely did me 
faft on dayes of Indication, and fuch as 
the Church enjoynes : every meale was 
a day of abftinence with her, for as me 
feldome eate of above one or two dimes, 
where there were great plenty, foe very 
rarely would me have any fauces, and 
comonly chofe the dryeft and leaned 
morfells ; and frequently have I knowne 
her deny her appetite things which I 
am certaine me lov'd, foe as I have 
made it now and then a little quarrell, 
for treating her felfe no better, confider- 
ing her tender fabrick, early rifeing, 

tedious 



176 The Life of 



tedious and late watchings, laborious' 
devotions, and not feldome even toi 
fainting in her retirements. Butt me| 
would tell me fmileingly, that me was 
as ftrong as a lion ; and though I ma- 
nifeftly perceived the contrary, both by I 
her countenance and other circum- 
fiances, that thefe aufterityes did her; 
injury, me would difguife it with ans 
induftry foe naturall, and putt fuch life n 
and chearfullnefs into her lookes and I 
mine, as has made me call to mind what 
wee read of Daniell and his companions, 
(Dan. 1,) who after their afcetick? 
foode, looked fairer and in better point j 
then all the reft who eat of the Royalb 
portion. fc I can be fatt," (me would S 
tell me,) cc in three dayes when I will." 1 

} 
I forgott to remember your Lady-; 
fhipp, of her imploying moft part of 
Lent in workeing for poore people, 
cutting out and makeing waiftcoates 
and other neceflary coverings, which 

fhe 



Mrs. Godolphin. 



me conftantiy distributed amongft them, 
like another Dorcas, fpending much of 
her tyme, and no little of her money, in 
relieving, vifitting, and enquireing of 
them out. And whilfl me was thus 
bufy with her needle, me would com- 
monly have one or other read by her, 
through which means, and a happy me- 
mory, me had allmoft the whole Scrip- 
tures by heart, and was foe verfed in 
Doctor Hammond's Annotations and 
other practicall bookes, Controverfyes, 
and Cafes, as might have flocked fome 
who pafs for noe fmall Divines ; not to 
mention fundry divine penitentiall and 
other Hymns, breathing of a Spiritt of 
holynefs, and fuch as mew'd the tender- 
nefs of her heart, and wonderfull love 
to God. 

Thus fpent (he the Sunday, feafts, 
or fafts ; nor were the exterordnary 
weeke dayes other than Sunday es with 
her when none came to interrupt her 

courfe, 

A A 



177 



i 7 8 



The Life of 



courfe, which in fome particulars was 
conftant and unintermitted. For the 
Sun had not yett drawne the Curtaines 
of his purple bed, whofe rifeing fhe oft 
prevented, and even fometymes the 
Morning watch, when this holy Virgin, 
wakeing, after a fhort Ejaculation to i 
the Father of lights for the refrefhment 
ihe had received, thus excites herfelfe, — 

t 

cc Up and be doeing, Jleepe no more ; 
Hark ! who is knocking att the doore ? \ 
Arife, my faire one, come away ; 
For thee I waite : arife, and pray. I 
Shake off thy Sleepe ; behold r , 'tis I! 
Canft thou love that, when I am by ? i 
Vaine thoughts , prefume not to come \ 

near, 
Tou'l find no entertainements here ; jj 
My Love has Jworne — her vows are i 

paft— 
That I /hall be her fir ft and loft. 
Rife then, my dear eft, come and fee 
What pleafureas are referv'dfor thee. 

I come 



Mrs. Godolphin. 



/ come> dear Lord. Behold I rife. 
Thee> I beyond all pleasures prize." 

Doe not imagine I am purfueing a 
romance, or in a rapture myfelfe, whilft 
I call her up with this angelick Hymne, 
fince I can arTure your Ladyfhipp 'tis 
butt what I find under her owne hand, 
and amongft thofe devout tranfports 
and compofures of hers, which I am 
certaine were her owne : and when 
ihe was in health, me would be calPd 
whilft it was yett darke, to feeke her 
Lord, like thofe holy women that went 
early to the Sepulcher. 

Noe fooner was me defcended from 
her bed, butt fhe fell on her knees in 
profound adoration ; and all the tyme of 
her dreffing, — which for the moft part 
ihe finim'd of her felfe without other 
help, — her mayd was reading fome part 
of Scripture to her, and when her aftift- 
ance was neceffary, me would take the 

booke 



179 



180 The Life of 



booke herfelfe, and read to her maid ; 
thus continually imploy'd fhe her me- 
ditations, till me was fully drefPd; 
which me would be in a very little 
tyme, even to all the agreeable circum- 
ftances becomeing her, becaufe indeed 
fhe became every thing, and this early 
rifeing and little indulgence to her eafe, 
made her looke like a flower, lovely, 
and frefh, and full of health : being in 
this pofture, fhe withdrew to private 
devotion in her clofett, till her fervant 
advertifed her it was tyme to goe to 
the Chappell, where fhe was ever with 
the firft of the devout fex, were it never 
foe wett, cold, and darke, even before 1 
day breake, in midft of winter. 



Return'd from Chappell, me would 
mutt her felfe upp in her little Oratory e 
againe, where, till the Queene requir'd 
her attendance, (for I now defcribe her 
as fhe was att Court,) fhe was either 
imployed in reading fome holy booke, 

or 



Mrs. Godolphin. 



or getting fome Chapter or Pfalmes by 
heart, fuch as me had collected abun- 
dance of the moft edifyeing ; neither 
omitted fhe to pray constantly with her 
fmall family, which me tooke great 
care to inflrucl upon all occasions. Nor 
did her forenoone devotion determine 
here : fhe not feldome might be found 
in the Chappell att ten a'Clock in the 
longer office. Nay, and I have fome- 
tymes mett her above in his Majeftyes 
little oratorye before dinner, if conve- 
niently fhe could flipp away from the 
mixt Company of the withdrawing 
Roome, whilft the Queene fatt out; 
and this fhe did, not out of fingularity 
or fuperftitious devotion, or that fhe 
thought herfelfe obliged to it, butt (as 
fhe has told me) to avoid occafions of 
idle and impertinent difcourfe, which 
was allmoft unavoidable in the Ante- 
Chambers. 

Soe foone as her Majeftye had dyned, 

(if 



181 



l82 



The Life of 



(if it were her duty and turne to wayte,) 
and that fhe had alfoe taken her repaft, 
if fhe owed no formall vilitts, or were 
not interrupted by others, fhe ufually 
fpent the afternoone in workeing with 
her needle, which was comonly (butt 
efpetially, as I noted, in Lent tyme,) 
makeing Coates and Garments for 
poore people, and fometymes for great 
and rich, for there was nothing but 
[what] her delicate ringers could doe, f 
and fhe had an Invention and fancy foe 
elegant and pretty, that when there was 
any thing exterordinary to be done in k 
fuiteing Ornaments and adjufting La- 
dyes' matters att Court, tho' fhe affected 
none of this her felfe, happy was themofti' 
illuftrious of the Circle, [who] could 1 
have her to drefs and fett them out. 

She was fometymes engaged to pafs 
the after dynner att Cards, efpecially- 
when fhe came to Berkley Houfe, 1 
(where was great refort,) more to com- 
ply 



Mrs. Godolphin, 



ply with others, than that fhe tooke the 
leaft delight in it ; and tho' being co- 
monly extreamly fortunate, and very 
fkillfull, fhe comonly rofe a winner, and 
allwayes referved her winnings for the 
poore, itt was yett amongft the greater!: 
afflictions of her life, when, to comply 
with fome perfons of Qualitye, fhe fatt 
any thing long att itt. How many fad 
complaints has fhe made to me of this 
particular : I tell you fhe looked on it 
as a Calamity and fubjection infupport- 
able. Butt neither did this nor any 
other confideration detaine her from 
being prefent att publick prayers att 3 
or 4 a'clock, for fhe would then break 
off, and happ'ly take that opportunitye 
of makeing fome vifitt, if fhe had any to 
pay. 

She had her houres alfoe for reading 

hiflorye and diverfions of that nature ; 

j butt allwayes fuch as were choice, pro- 

I fittable, and inflruclive, and fhe had de- 

voured 



183 



184 The Life of 



voured an incredible deale of that folid 
knowledge, and could accompt of it to 
admiration ; foe as I have even beene 
aftonimed to find fuch an heape of ex- 
cellent things and materiall obfervations 
collected and written with her owne 
hand, many of which (flnce her being 
with God) came to myne, for befides a 
world of admirable prayers and pieces 
of flagrant devotion, meditations, and 
difcourfes on various fubjects, (which 
fhe compof'd) there was hardly a booke 
fhe read that me had not common 
placed, as it were, or taken fome re- 
markable note of; add this to the Diary 
of her owne life, actions, refolutions, anc 
other circumstances, of which I mall giv 
fome fpecimen. She had contracted the 
intire hiftorye of the Scriptures, anc 
the mort illustrious examples, fentences, 
and precepts, digefted under appoiite 
and proper heads ; and collected to- 
geather the refult of every Article of the 
Apoftles' Creed, out of Bifhopp Pear- 

fon's 



Mrs. Godolphin, 



fon's excellent Treatife. I have all- 
ready fpoken of her Sermon Notes ; 
butt to give a juft Account of her Let- 
ters, they are foe many and in fo excellent 
naturall and eafy a ftyle, that as for their 
number, one would beleive fhe did no- 
thing elfe butt write, foe for their weight 
and ingenuity, that fhe ought to doe 
nothing elfe ; and foe eafyly did her 
Invention flow, that I have feene her 
write a very long letter without once 
takeing off her penn (butt to dipp it), 
and that with exterordnary Judgment ; 
they were cogent, pathetick, and oblige- 
ing, and allwayes about doeing fome 
kind office, or Religious Correfpond- 
ence. Nor lefs was fhe indefatigable 
in reading ; feldome flirring abroad 
without fome good booke about her, 
that if by any accident fhe were to at- 
tend or be alone, fhe might lofe no 
tyme ; and indeed the tone of her voice 
(when fhe read to others) was foe fuited 
to all the pamons and figures either of 

reading 



B B 



185 



i86 



The Life of 



reading or difcourfe, that there was no- 
thing more charmeing then to heare her 
recite with fuch a Spiritt and Judg- 
ment as the periods fell. 'Tis hardly 
to be imagined, the talent fhe peculiarly 
had in repeating a comicall part or act- 
ing it, when in a chearfull humour and 
amongft fome particular friends, fhe 
would fometymes divert them ; and I 
have heard her pronounce a Sermon 
in French which fhe had heard preached 
by a fryar in Paris vpon the profefTion 
of a Nun, att which fhe was prefent, 
that really furprized me. Thofe who 
have obferv'd the fantaftick motion of 
thofe Zealotts in the pulpitt would have 
feen in this Lady's action, invention, and 
preachment, the prettieft and moft in- 
nocent Mimick in the World, and have 
really beleived it had been the Enthuflaft 
himfelfe, butt for his frock and face, that 
had infpired her : certainely fhe was 
the moft harmelefs and diverting Crea- 
ture in nature. Butt as her witt was 

infinite 



Mrs. Godolphin, 



infinite, and in Converfation far fuperior 
to any of her fex, foe to curb it, had 
fhe fuch perpetuall apprehenfions of 
God's omniprefence, that fhe induftri- 
oufly fuppreffed it. I could tell your 
Ladyfhipp of fome artificiall helps fhe 
ufed, to keep her all way es in mind of 
it: thus fhe would pin up fome pa- 
pers, as it were negligently, in places 
where fhe moft frequently ufed to be, 
with fome Character in it, or halfe word, 
that fignifyed to her fome particular 
duty or Caution; and though I never 
came to know this from her felfe, yett 
by fome obfervations which I made, I 
am confident of what I fay. Butt this 
fhe did to curb and reftraine as (I faid) 
her fprightfull witt in perfect humility, 
and out of feare and tendernefs left 
fhe might offend ; tho' never was Crea- 
ture more difcreetely referv'd, or that 
better vnderftood when and what it 
was fitt to fpeake and entertaine her 
friends. 

To 



187 



i88 



The Life of 



To preferve her felfe then in this 
humble temper, and affift her more 
minute ConfefTions, me kept (as I have 
hinted) an account of her actions and 
refolutions, as fince her deceafe I find. 
In this it was fhe fett downe her Infir- 
mityes fhe laboured vnder, what deli- 
verances fhe had from danger, what 
favour received, what Methods fhe re- 
folved to take for the imployment of 
her tyme, and obligations laid vpon 
her felfe to performe what fhe foe re- 
folved, which doubtlefs was a Courfe to 
keep her clofe to duty, as well as the 
frequent Counfells of her Ghoftly father 
upon all difficultyes by the conftant 
Intercourfe of Letters, foe as fhe [was] 
feldome in fufpence, what fhe ought to 
doe upon any difficulty which might 
concerne her : and this infinitely con- 
tributed to the Chearfullnefs of her 
Spiritts and interior peace ; fhe was 
really foe afraid that others fhould think 

too 



Mrs. Godolphin. 



too well of her, that fhe has fometymes 
bitterly accufed herfelfe, and was wont 
to fend me an anniverfary account of 
her faileings and Infirmityes, in which 
God knows there were very few, with 
a gratefull remembrance to God of her 
Improvements, which I knew to be 
much greater then me would acknow- 
ledge, defireing both advice and prayers 
for her. 

As in the Morning, foe in the Even- 
ing, itt was even fome exterordinary 
and indifpenfable buiffnefs which att 
any tyme hindered her from the Church 
office, which if fhe miffed att three a' 
clock, fhe would be fure to find att fix, 
whether fhe were abroad or att home ; 
and after that as conftantly retired fome 
competent tyme before Supper for re- 
collection, Reading and private devo- 
tion ; and would fometymes walk abroad 
to contemplate the workes of God, for 
which fhe was furnifh with proper me- 
ditations, 



189 



190 The Life of 



ditations, which fhe could extend out 
of her owne flock, as I can witnefs, to ji 
my fingular edification and no fmall ji 
admiration : there was really nothing r 
fhe cafl her Eye upon, butt inftead of to 
impertinent wandring fhe would derive ? 
fome holy ufe from. \ 

cc I wifh you here betymes," (one 
day writeing to me,) cc that wee may [ 
walk together. I fancy I could talk 
of God for ever ; and, indeed, what I 
elfe can wee fpeake of butt our God, 
of whome wee never can fay enough :" 
for Tuefday being ufually the day I 
vifitted her of courfe, whether wee k 
walked into the Gardens, the fields, or jf 
within doores, the moft agreeable con- 1 
verfation to her, was the contemplation ; 
of the workesof God; [or] the contrive- fci 
ing how to bring about fome charitable St 
office ; and as fhe was flrangely happy 
in compofing differences, foe was fhe x 
of foe lucky addrefs and univerfally be- 
loved, 



Mrs. Godolphin. 



loved, that what fhe undertooke fhe 
feldome failed of accomplishing. Gene- 
rous as fhe was, and foe obligeing to 
her freinds, there hardly paffed a day in 
which ihe had not done fome fignall 
kindnefs : nor difdained fhe the mean- 
eft Circumftances, foe me might doe 
good ; not to omitt how refolute fhe 
was in other dutyes. Nor in all thefe 
pious Labours, [was fhe] the leaft trou- 
blefome, fcrupulous, fingular, or morofe, 
butt [of] the moft eafy and chearfull 
converfation in the world. 

Thus paffed fhe the Evenings, till 
Supper ; which fhe for the moft part re- 
fufed her felfe, fpending that tyme in her 
oratory ; and if fhe did come downe, 
eating fpareingly, retired againe foe 
foone as decently fhe could difengage 
her felfe to pray with her little family, 
and finifh the reft of her private courfe 
before fhe went to repofe. This your 
Ladyfhipp knows and could fpeake to 

much 



i 9 i 



192 The Life of 



much better then my felfe, whilft yo 
were fellow virgins and companions ir 
holy dutyes ; and thus lived me to Go 
and to her felfe. Let us now take 
view how me converfed with others 
Domeflicks and Friends, after me was 1 
Wife, and had a family to governe. 



It is ufually faid of marryed people 
cc fuch a one has altered her condition/' ij 
indeed, foe had ihee. But in noe fort 
her Courfe. Itt could not be faid of 
this paire, that thofe who are marryed 
cared for the things of this world how \ 
they might pleafe one another, for never 
was there Lady pleafed foe well as when \ 
fhe was careing for the things of the 
Lord, and this me did (if any ever did) 
without diffraction, knowing that fhe t 
could never pleafe her hufband better 
then when me was pleafing God ; foe 
as fhe was, (I may truely fay,) the fame 
[as] a wife and a virgin. And fuch ft 
Marriage it was, I am perfwaded St. 

Paul 



Mrs. Godolphin, 



Paul himfelfe would have preferred 
above the celibate he foe highly co- 
mended, butt for which he had noe 
command, but fpoke on fuppofition. 

She was none of thofe who would 
have excufed her comeing to the divine 
and royall feafts becaufe me had mar- 
ry ed an hufband ; flacking in nothing 
of her former zeale and labours of love, 
without the leaft impeachment to her 
domeftick Charge. Soe dextroufly fhe 
knew to reconcile both thofe dutyes, 
that I beleive there never was family 
more an houfehold of faith, never per- 
fons linked togeather in a more honour- 
able, happy, and eafy bond : for as fhe 
was an excellent Chriftian, fhe was a 
noe lefs unparalleld wife ; I need not 
therefore defcribe this vertue to your 
Ladyfhipp, or call that complaifance 
which was the height of a moft vertuous 
affedtion ; and reciprocall ; for never were 
two perfons foe framed for one ano- 
ther's 

c c 



J 93 



i 9 4 



The Life of 



ther's difpofitions, never lived paire in 
more peace and harmony ; and yett, 
tho' this converfation was the moft 
noble and becomeing in the world, 
without troublefome fondnefs, yet me 
could not conceale the affliction me 
fuffered when he was abfent, as when 
he had been fometymes fent abroad by 
his Majeftye, upon diverfe publick 
concerns of State, nor the Joy that fo 
fpread it felfe in her countenance, and 
agreeable humour, when he was pre- 
fent. In a word, me was converfation 
as well as Companion for a wife and 
excellent perfon, foe as if ever two were 
created for each other, and marriages, 
as they fay, made in heaven, this hap- 
py paire were of the number. O irre- 
parable lofs, never to be repaired on 
this fide that bleffed place. 



For the prudent management of her 
domeftick affaires, me was not to learne 
what ever might become the graveft 



or 



Mrs. Godolphin, 



or [moft] experienced Matron as well as 
Miftrefs. She had foone made choice of 
fuch fervants, and putt all things in fuch 
order, as nothing was more eafy, me- 
thodicall, and quiett; without Angu- 
larity or affectation ; nothing more de- 
cent and honourable. She provided 
them bookes to read, prayers to ufe by 
themfelves, and conftantly inftructed 
them herfelfe in the principles of Reli- 
gion; tooke care for their due receive- 
ing of the holy Sacrament, and was in 
a word the beft miftrefs in the world : 
wittnefs her bountifull remembrance of 
them att her death, of which I have 
allready fpoken. 

She tooke exact Accompt of her 
dayly expenfes, which every Saturday 
me ufed to fumme up, and never went 
on fcore; foe juft and provident me was ; 
makeing that a delight which others 
looke on as a Burthen, — namely, the 
care of her family, which me would 

goe 



195 



196 



The Life of 



goe through with an hardinefs and maf- 
culine virtue, foe farr was fhe from be- 
ing nice and delicate, and it infinitely 
became her. None knew better then 
fhe to buy and to chufe what was fitt ; 
tempering a difcreet frugalitye, with a 
generous hand and a large heart ; and 
if in any thing profufe itt was in her 
Charitye. 

And thus I have mewed your Lady- 
fhipp how fhe lived to God and to 
herfelfe ; I have now to add how fhe 
converfed with her Neighbours, whom 
me loved as herfelfe. 

Your Ladyfhipp is of too generous a 
Soule to forgett that particular affection 
fhe bore you to the laft, the efteeme 
flie had of your excellent fifter and Re- 
lations : and methinks I flill fee the con- 
cerne fhe mewed, when you were pre- 
paring to goe into Holland about this 
tyme, becaufe her folicitude for your 

profperity 



Mrs. Godolphin. 



profperity was accompanyed with a 
tender friendfhipp ; which I find you 
would keepe in memory by the In- 
ftances you make to one, whome you 
juftly think have noe lefs gratefull dif- 
pofition to celebrate her vertues. 

Indeed never was any Creature more 
obligeing to her friends and Relations ; 
to whofe Civilityes, that fhe might be 
juft, fhe not only kept a Catalogue of 
thofe fhe had a more particular efteeme 
of, butt would ftudy all imaginable 
wayes to be ferviceable to them. Wee 
both are wittneffes of the paines fhe 
would undergoe to profelyte vaine or 
indifferent Chriftians, and with what an 
admirable addrefs fhe did it; without 
the leaft diminution of her felfe, or 
mean complyance to gaine friendfhipp 
with efteeme ; tho' fhe was fcrupuloufly 
carefull not to multiply acquaintances, 
j confidering the precious moments that 
| are loft in impertinent and formal vi- 

fitts, 



197 



198 The Life of 



fitts, and therefore reduceing [them] to ' 
a felecl: and choice number. Nothing in 
the world did more afflict her than the } i 
trifling Converfation of fome whome of 5 
Decency me was obliged to bear with, 
whilft there was not a vifitt which me 
returned to fuch, butt with a fecrett de- 
figne, how fhe might either reclaime 
thofe who were lefs referved and circum- 
fpect, or confirme and incourage thofe 
that were more. Never mould you 
hear her fpeake to the difadvantage of 
an abfent perfon ; butt if others did, j 
fhe would be either filent and fay no 
thing, unlefs where fhe could excufe J 
them, or endeavour to divert the dif- I 
courfe. In every thing elfe fhe had 
a wonderfull complacency of nature ; 
which was infinitely improved by Re- f 
ligion, and a kind of univerfall Charity e, 
foe as to accomodate her felfe to all in- 
nocent humours. She would fing, and 
play, and ad, and recite, and difcourfe 
prettyly and innocently a thoufand 

harmelefs 



Mrs. Godolphin. 199 

harmelefs and ingenious purpofes to re- 
creat old and melancholy perfons, and 
divert the younger. She had kindnefs 
and good nature to fitt by the fick and 
peevifh, read and pray by them with 
infuperable patience and chearfullnefs, 
and comply even with little Children ; 
fhe played att any the moft difficult 
games fuiteable to their Converfation, 
and that fkillfully : nor was there any 
refitting her agreeable way and govern- 
ing fpiritt; foe that (as I noted) the 
greater!: DuchefTes and Ladyes of the 
Court fought her friendmipp and affift- 
ance vpon any occafion of folemn pomp, 
Mafque, Ball, or exterordinary appear- 
ance, becaufe of a certaine peculiar 
fancy and addrefs fhe had in fuiteing, 
dreffing, and continueing things of Or- 
nament, with univerfall approbation, 
whilft in all thefe Complyances, fhe 
was watchfull of opportunityes to in- 
ftill fomething of vertue and Religion, 
as well by her difcourfe as example, 

and 



200 



The Life of 



and in fuch a manner, as not only- 
avoided the Cenfure of Impertinence } 
and Angularity, butt which more en- 1 
deared her to them. What mall I fay ? 
fhe had all the pretty arts and innocent 
ftratagems imaginable, of mingling fe- 
rious things on all occafions, feafon- 
ing even her diverfions with fomething 
of Religion ; which, as fhe would ma- I 
nage it, putt to rebuke all their flocks 
of rayllery, foe as nothing was more 
agreeable than her Company where I 
ever fhe came. Indeed there was no- ! 
thing proofe againft the abundance of : 
her witt and piety : fhe made vertue 
and holynefs a chearfull thing, lovely 
as her felfe ; and even in the Court, 
how many of the greatest there, were 
made to looke upon Religion as a fe- 
rious thing, yett confiftent with their 
poft. Butt this I need not recount to 
your Ladyfhipp, there are yett fome 
(and more I wifh there were) who owe 
their tincture to this Lady, and will, I 

hope, 



Mrs. Godolphin, 



hope, retaine it ; foe as, if ever it were 
an holy Court, 'twas when this Saint 
was the life of it. 'Twere eafy to fhew 
whome, by her Councell and addrefs, 
fhe had refcued ; fome from fatall preci- 
pices in that giddy Station ; others, 
whome fhe has inflructed, that were 
Ignorant or carelefs ; fome, that fhe 
gained to a fevere Courfe, who were 
liftning to folly and mine : in a word, 
it was the pleafure of her life and the 
buifTnefs of the day, to caft about how 
fhe might improve it to thofe advan- 
tages. O, were the Courts of Princes 
adorn'd and furnifh'd with fuch a Circle 
wee mould call it Heaven on Earth, 
and converfe with Angells. Butt, to 
juftifye this and all that I have affirmed 
concerning the piety of her thoughts, 
the paffion fhe had to improve others, 
the richnefs of her Invention, naturall 
Eloquence, and beauty of her Style, I 
have no more to doe then to mind your 
Ladyfhipp of a Letter, written by this 

Saint, 

D D 



201 



202 



The Life of 



Saint, when me was now gone from 
Court, of which I am well afTured you 
are beft accquainted, and can yett per- 
happs produce the orriginall; for my 
part I never read it butt I looke upon 
it as infpired with an apoftolick fpiritt. 

cc Deare Children, fince you are both 
foe lowly in your owne Eyes, as to 
make ufe of me in a thing which either 
of you would have done better, butt 
that you diftruft your felfes, — namely, 
the paraphrafes vpon the prayer lately 
fent you, I thought my felfe obliged 
deepely to confider it againe, and have- 
ing done foe, cannott fatisfy my lefs, 
unlefs I fett downe with Pen and Ink 
what my opinion is of it. As to your 
drefTmg, I can't beleive the Doctor 
meant there mould be any neglect of 
that beauty God has given you, foe it 
be done with this Caution, firft, that 
you defigne to captivate none for any 
fatisfaclion you take in the number of 

Lovers 



Mrs. Godolphin. 



Lovers or in the Noife of a larger 
traine of Admirers than other young 
women have, butt purely for an honeft 
defigne of difingageing your felves as 
foone as you can from the place you 
are in, in an honorable way ; and when 
ever you fee any young Man, whome 
in your hearts you cannot beleive will 
prove that perfon I fpeak of, or any 
marryed Man, whome you know can- 
not, with fuch a one St. Paul fayes, 
you ought not to converfe in the leaft ; 
I meane, if [it is] poffible to be avoided, 
and in this age, you know, women are 
not foe wonderfully folicited that have 
the vertue and modefty of you two. 
That good fervice the Ladys of other 
principles have done you, that men 
fooner find their Error, and without 
much difficulty fufpected converfations 
may be avoided. 

" Indeed, it would be a moil dread- 
full fight att the laft day, to fee any 

man 



203 



204 



The Life of 



man condemned upon your accounts ; 
and yett fuch a thing may be, and yett 
you honeft ; for if you willingly confent 
men mould looke upon you and follow 
you, you are acceffary to that finn in St. 
Mathew, c Who ever lookes on a wo- 
man to luft after her, hath committed 
Adultery with her allready in his heart/ 
Soe that my opinion is, that mankind, if 
they make any particular applications, 
tho* they don't make love, be, as much 
as you can, avoided. As to your Con- 
verfation, there is nothing forbidden 
butt what is either prophane, or unjuft, 
or indevout ; I meane, the encourage- 
ing of any of that in others, by feeme- 
ing well pleafed with it. 'Tis true, wee 
mould not preach in the withdrawing 
Roome, butt wee muft, by our lookes, 
mew that wee fear God, and that wee 
dare not hear any thing to his prejudice, 
nor any thing filthy, or that tends to 
the prejudice of our Neighbour ; and 
where any of thefe are found, there, as 

much 



Mrs. Godolphin. 



much as ever wee can, to avoid them. 
As to what wee fay our felves, the fame 
Rules are to be obferved ; and wee muft 
take care that wee talke not to be the 
wittieft in the Company ; to accquire 
praife to ourfelves above our Neigh- 
bours. Wee may divert people, and 
be innocently merry ; but then wee 
muft not defigne praife to our felves, 
nor pleafe our felves (if wee have it) in 
the thoughts of it, butt in fome fhort 
and filent prayer, defire God to keepe 
us low in our owne Eyes, as c Lord, 
make me poore in fpiritt, that I may 
inheritt the kingdome of Heaven,' or by 
calling to mind that faying of St. Paul, 
( What haft thou which thou didft not 
receive, and if thou haft received it, 
why doft thou boaft ?' In fhort, wee 
muft talke, to divert others, not to gaine 
applaufe to our felves ; and if there be 
any that are able and willing to doe it, 
lett us not be impatient to preferr them 
before us. Butt this is butt fometymes 

to 



205 



2o6 The Life of 



to be done ; 'tis not a fault if you 
fhould not allwayes be foe willing to 
keep filence whilft others fpeake. 

cc As to your retirement after you 
come in, 'tis only to examine the day, 
and if you have been faulty, in all hu- 
mility to acknowledge it to Allmighty 
God, and what ever the fault has been, 
to read fome portion of Scripture which 
concerns it, if you can find any ; if not, 
to read fome Chapter in St. John's Gof- 
pell, efpecially the 15, or 16, or 17th, 
&c. that doe moil divinely fett forth 
the Love of God to us. The reafon 
why I urge this, is, that your forrow for 
fin may proceed from the fence you 
have of God's great mercy and love to 
us ; and that Consideration will melt 
your hearts, and keepe you clofe, and 
make you defire to draw near him ; 
but Hell terrifyes, and damnation 
amazes, and I am never the better for 
thofe reflections. 

" And 



Mrs. Godolphin, 



cc And after this is pafPd,you both be- 
ing Good, and friends as well as Sifters, 
will doe well to contrive togeather how 
you may defeate the Divell, and make 
Solomon's words true, that c two are bet- 
ter then one/ After this, in God's name, 
I know no harme, — if your devotions of 
the day and tafk that you affigne your 
felves are over, — butt that you may be 
as chearfull as your Innocence can make 
you, which in both is very great. 

<f As to one particular in the drefs, I 
think I have not fpoken concerneing 
the expenfive part. Butt that only con- 
cerns , and Mrs. , whofe 

purfes are fmall, that they take care, 
upon noe account whatfoever, they ex- 
ceed what their pennon is ; for noe 
duty to the Queene, in makeing a ftiew 
behind her, can excufe one from Juftice 
to our Neighbour, before that God in 
whofe prefence wee walke, and [who] 

will 



207 



2o8 The Life of 



will avenge the Caufe of the wronged. 
Butt I am fenfible not only this laft, 
butt all I have faid, has been not onely 
(as to my part) filly, butt as to yours, 
fuperfluous, only Love and Goodwill 
I dare fay will plead my excufe before 
two foe good young Creatures for a 
greater fault than this, and therefore 
not doubting but I am forgiven, I will 
[end] with a prayer drawne from the 
Sermon wee heard this morning. 

cc That you two, who have foe glo- 
rioufly and foe refolutely fett your felves 
to ferve God in your younger dayes, 
may continue to be ftill what you are, 
examples of vertue and modefty in a 
Court, dutifull to your Mifftrefs, obe- 
dient and loveing to your Mother, affec- 
tionate to each other, and charitable to 
all the world. Befides, may you be 
wife virgins, haveing Oyle in your 
Lamps ready prepar'd to meete the ; 
Bridegroome. May you be burning 

and 



Mrs. Godolphin, 



and fhineing lights in the midft of a 
crooked and perverfe Generation, and 
as the Minifter faid this day, c May you, 
as Samuel, and David, Jofiah, Timo- 
thy, and St. John, be wholly dedicated 
to Gods Service, as was the firft ; zeal- 
ous for his Glory, as was the fecond ; 
eonftantly feeking the God of your fa- 
thers, as was the third ; well inftructed 
in Scriptures, as was the fourth ; and 
at laft may you (as St. John was) be 
admitted into the Bofome of our Dear 
Jefus, where you will have your fhort 
youth turned into Eternity, your 
earthly treafure to an heavenly, and 
your worldly greatnefs and power ex- 
chang'd for a Crowne of Glory . ' Amen 
with all my heart." 

And now, O blefTed Saint, how doft 
thou mine above ! What a Circle of 
Starrs diadems thy Temples ! what a 
Jubilation amongft the Angells at thy 
accefs into the Glorious Hierarchy ! 

Verily, 



209 



E E 



2IO 



The Life of 



Verily, Madam, I have had thoughts 
above the world, when I fometymes 
confidered the life of this excellent 
Creature, her rare examples, happy 
fuccefs, and the fruites which have been 
planted and cultivated by her holy In- 
duftrye and labour of Love, were it by 
her beauty, by her witt, her Converfa- 
tion, her prayers and devotions, her 
zeal and pious Infinuations, her exam- 
ple or peculiar addrelTe ; being wily, 
me caught them by Craft, and as I faid, 
I would fometymes call her the fifherefs 
of her fex. What mail I add ? She 
was fortunate in all me fett her hand to, 
becaufe me laid out all thefe perfections 
in the fervice of God, the winning of 
foules ; and great, great is her reward. 

Nor did this confine her only to the 
Court, amongft the Great. I have allrea- 
dy told how diligently fhe would inquire 
out the poore and miferable, even [in] 
Hofpitalls, humble Cells and Cottages, 

whither 



Mrs. Godolphin 



whither I have fometymes accompanied 
her, as farr as the very fkirts and ob- 
fcure places of the Towne, among whom 
fhe not only [gave] liberall almes, but 
phyfitians and phyfick fhe would fend 
to fome, yea, and adminifter Remedyes 
herfelfe, and the meaneft offices. She 
would fit and read, inftruct and pray, 
whole afternoones, and tooke care for 
their fpirituall releif by procureing a 
Minifter of Religion to prepare them 
for the holy Sacrament, for which pur- 
pofe fhe not only carryed and gave them 
bookes of Salvation and Devotion, but 
had herfelfe collected diverfe Pfalmes 
and Chapters proper to be read and 
ufed vpon fuch occafions. How many 
naked poore Creatures fhe covered ! I 
have by me one Lift of no fewer then 
twenty three, whome fhe cladd at one 
tyme ; and your Ladyfhipp may re- 
member, and I have allready noted, for 
whome fhe wrought with her owne 
hands. 

To 



211 



212 



The Life of 



To aflift her then in the difpofeing 
of thefe and inumerable other Chari- 
tyes, there was a poore religious Wid- 
dow, whome your Ladyfhipp knew me 
had a more particular Confidence in. 
How me found her out, I never in- 
formed my felfe, but well remember a 
pafTage of fomething exterordinary that 
happened to her concerning a Voice 
which fhe folemnly affirmed had fpoken 
to her, being once att prayers in the 
Church and in great diftrefs. I fhall 
fay nothing as to that, but that it was 
this pious and humble Creature, whofe 
diligence fhe vfed, to informe her of fick 
and miferable people, who accompa- 
nyed her to their Habitations, and 
brought them Cloathes, Mony and Me- 
dicines, and whereof they fpent whole 
dayes in devotion togeather. By her 
it was fhe diflributed weekly penfions, 
looked after orphan Children, put them 
to fchoole, vifitted the prifons, out of 

which 



Mrs. Godolphin. 



which (amongft diverfe others,) fhe had 
redeemed a diffolute fon of hers, that 
coft a very confiderable fumme, as me 
had paid the debts, and indeed wholly 
maintained the Mother to her dyeing 
day, tho' being taken with a dead palfy, 
and in a manner bed ridden, a year or 
two before. She furvived her Bene- 
factrefs, but not her bounty : thus 
when me went into Ffrance, me ordered 
me to continue many other penfions 
which me gave, and I could give you 
an account of what houfe rent fhe paid 
for indigent houfkeepers, what Appren- 
tices fhe put forth, and your Lady- 
fhipp remembers, and I have allready 
touched, the little Child fhe kept all- 
wayes with her, and cherifhed to the 
laft. Soe fedulous was fhe in thefe acls 
of Charity, that from the tyme I could 
calculate, fhe had begun and perfifted 
in this Courfe from a Child her felfe : 
and for the laft 7 Years of her life, I 
can fpeake of my owne knowledge, 

that 



213 



2i4 The Life of 



that her liberality was foe difpropor- 
tion'd to her Revenue, that I have 
fometymes called it profufion, at which 
fhe would fmile, and bid me take no 
care. What me herfelfe diftributed 
more privately I know not, but fure I 
am it was a great deale more then ever 
me would difcover, takeing all the Cau- 
tions imaginable, that nothing fhe did 
of this nature mould be knowne, no not 
to her left hand what her right hand 
did, and therefore often would me her- 
felfe walk out alone and on foote, and 
failing, and in midft of winter, (when 
it was hardly fitt to fend a fervant out,) 
to minifter to fome poore creatures fhe 
had found out, and perhaps whome no 
body knew of befides, foe far had her 
love to God and piety to others over- 
come nature and the delicate tendernefs 
of her fex and conflitution. 

See then what I find in her Diarye, 
among the Refolutions (as I faid) fhe 

was 



Mrs. Godolphin. 215 

was wont to fet downe in her owne 
hand. It feemes fhe had loft at Cards 
(a diversion which fhe affected not, but 
to comply with others, when fometymes 
fhe could not avoid it). Behold, Ma- 
dam, with what remorfe, with what 
discretion. 

cc June the 2d. 

cc I will never play this halfe year 
butt att 3 penny omber, and then with 
one att halves. I will not ; I doe not 
vow, but I will not doe it, — what, 
loofe mony att Cards, yett not give the 
poore ? 'Tis robbing God, mifTpending 
tyme, and miftimploying my Talent : 
three great Sinns. Three pounds 
would have kept three people from 
ftarveing a month : well, I will not 
play." 

Here is a bleffed Creature. 'Tis in 
this pretious Manufcript that I find 
an account of the particular mercyes 

me 



2l6 



The Life of 



lhe had received from God, amongft 
which that he had given foe religious a 
Mother, fuch good breeding, early re- 
ceiveing the blefTed facrament, the 
prayers of holy people for her, and 
afliftance of a fpirittuall Guide, which 
(fayes me) I am confident was the re- 
ward of my receiveing at the Charter 
houfe. I take notice of it here, becaufe 
'tis there fhe blefTed God that me had 
been ferviceable, both to poore and 
Rich, in that he had been pleafed to 
make her his Inftrument, and foe goes 
on to thank him for the many perfonall 
dangers and accidents fhe had efcaped, 
all which fhe particularizes. But to 
returne to her Charityes, (than which 
I know no greater marke of a confum- 
mate Chriftian,) I may not omit that 
other branch of it, her vifitting and re- 
leafeing of prifoners, of which I think 
I can produce a lift of above thirty re- 
ftrained for debts in feverall prifons, 
which fhe paid and compounded for at 

once. 



Mrs. Godolphin. 



once. Nor were thefe as (I faid) fud- 
den fitts of devotion, but her continued 
practice, and fuch as tooke up a con- 
fiderable portion of her life ; and fuch 
infinite fatisfaclion tooke fhe in this 
blefled Imployment, as that often have 
I knowne her privately flipp away and 
breake from the gay and publique Com- 
pany, the greatefl entertainments, and 
greatefl perfons too of the Court, to 
make a flepp to fome miferable poore 
fick Creature, whilfl thofe me quitted 
have wondered why fhe went from the 
converfation ; and more they would, had 
they feen how the fceene was chang'd 
from a Kingly palace to fome meane 
cottage, from the Company of princes 
to poore neceflitous wretches, when by 
and by fhe would returne as chearfull 
and in good humour, as if fhe had been 
about fome worldly concerne, and ex- 
cufe her abfence in the mofl innocent 
manner imaginable. Never mufl I for- 
gett the infinite pleafure fhe tooke in 

doeing 



217 



F F 



2l8 



The Life of 



doeing Charityes. 'Twas one day that 
I was with her, when feeing a poore 
Creature in the ftreets, cc Now," fayes 
fhe to me, cc how will I make that 
miferable wretch rejoyce." Upon 
which fhe fent him ten tymes more than 
I am confident he ever could expect. 
This fhe fpake, not as boafting, but 
foe as one might perceive her very foule 
lifted up in fecret Joy, to confider 
how the miferable man would be made 
happy with the furprize. Soe as fum- 
ming all thefe Inftances together, I 
might well compare this Lady to thofe 
excellent perfons whofe praife is in the 
Gofpell, and whofe names (St. Paull 
affures us, Acts x. 2,) are written in 
the booke of life, being like Cornelius 
and Dorcas, full of good works and 
Almes Deeds which fhe did; as Prifcilla, 
fhe inftructed many more perfectly in 
the wayes of God ; as Mary, fhe be- 
llowed much labour; nor doe I ever 
think of her but I call to mind the 

Phebes, 



Mrs. Godolphin, 



Phebes, and Triphofas, Julia and Olym- 
pia, Claudia and to whome the Appoftle 
would certainly have added Margarita, 
(this pearle of ours,) had me been then 
in the world, who were fervants of the 
Churches, fuccourers of the Saints, 
helpers in Chrift Jefus, and who were 
even ready to lay downe their lives for 
the Gofpell. Soe flagrant was her zeale, 
foe pure her Charitye, foe vehement 
and flncere her love to God, as often to 
quitt the Eafe and pleafures of life, and 
difmifs the Diverfions of a Court, to 
pofTefs thofe Divine and fupernall plea- 
fures of doeing good, and the bleffing of 
him that was ready to perim came upon 
her who caufed the widows heart to 
ling for Joy, for fhe was Eyes to the 
blind, and feet to the Lame, in all 
things, mewing herfelfe a patterne of 
good workes. In a word, her life did 
foe mine before Men, that thofe who 
faw her good workes could not butt be 
ftirred up to glorifye God ; yet by 

grace 



219 



220 



The Life of 



grace we are faved through faith, and 
not of our felves, it is the gift of God, 
not of workes, left any man mould 
boaft, for we are his workmanfhip, 
created in Chrift Jefus unto good 
workes, which God hath before or- 
dained that we mould walke in them. 

And now after all this, I need noe 
more produce her Diarye, haveing given 
your Ladymipp fo minute an Account 
of her life and actions, I mall onely add, 
that to the particulars of the Mercy es fhe 
received, Refolutions made, and Graces 
which me defired, fhe compofed many 
excellent Prayers, Praifes, and Devo- 
tions, pertinent to the occafion, and to 
which I might fubjoine the wonderfull 
Condefcenfion, already noted, in con- 
ftantly giveing me once a year a little 
hiftory of her life, and what had hap- 
pened of moft concerne in her parti- 
cular, what faileings, and Improve- 
ments fhe was fencible of, with an In- 

genuitye 



Mrs. Godolphin. 



genuitye exterordnary, and breathing 
a pious friendfhipp, defireing my di- 
rection and my prayers, which a thou- 
fand tymes I needed more than me, 
who had, (as your Ladyfhipp well 
knows, and is already noted) a Ghoftly 
father, with whome frequently corre- 
fponding, me conftantly received proper 
Minifteryes and advice in matters cog- 
nizable to that facred Character. To 
him it was me often revealed her Con- 
fcience, as from a Child me before had 
done to a devout and learned prelate of 
our Church by the exterordnary Care 
of his [her ?] pious and excellent Mo- 
ther, as herfelf has told me, lookeing 
on it as the greateft bleffing me had 
ever left her. 

And thus, Madam, I have, accord- 
ing to the befl of my poore ability, 
complyed with your Ladyfhipp's co- 
mands, and given you the Life of this 
Incomparable Lady : which though I 

may 



221 



222 



The Life of 



may not have performed to the height 
and merit of the fubjecT:, I have yet 
me-thinks paid an obligation to the 
memory of one you loved, and that 
honoured me with friendfhip never to 
be forgotten, iince it let me into a 
Converfation of foe great advantage. 
In a word, to juflifye what I prefent 
your Ladymipp, and fumm up all. 
I have been oft partaker of her fad- 
nefs and brighter dayes, wittnefs of 
her devouteft Recollections, accurate 
and exterordinary preparations, ardent 
Zeale, and unwearyed Devotions, 
chearfull and even profufive Charityes 
and labours of Love, for her fecular 
concerns was only in order to Spirit- 
tuall. 

In fumme. 

Never was there a more unfpotted vir- 
gin, a more loyall wife, a more fincere 
friend, a more confummate Chriftian ; 

add 



Mrs. Godolphin. 



add to this, a florid youth, an exqui- 
fite and naturall beauty, and gracefull- 
nefs the moft becomeing. Nor was fhe 
to be difguifed : there was nothing 
more quick and peircing than her ap- 
prehenfion, nothing more faithfull than 
her memory, more folid and mature 
than her Judgment, infomuch as I 
have heard her hufband affirme to me 
(whofe difcernment all that have the 
honour to know, him will allow to be 
exterordinary) that even in the greateft 
difficultyesand occafions, he has both 
afked and preferred her advice with 
continuall fuccefs, and with thefe folid 
parts fhe had all the advantages of a 
moft fparkling witt, a naturall Elo- 
quence, a gentle and agreeable tone of 
voice, and a charmeing accent when 
fhe fpake, whilft the Charmes of her 
countenance were made up of the great- 
eft Innocence, modefty, and goodnefs 
Imaginable, agreeable to the Compo- 
fure of her thoughts, and the union of 

a thou- 



223 



224 



The Life of 



a thoufand perfections : add to all this, 
fhe was Juft, Invincible, fecrett, ingeni- 
oufly finceere, faithfull in her promifes, 
and to a Miracle, temperate, and mif- 
trefs of her pafTions and refolutions, and 
foe well had fhe imployed her fpann of 
tyme, that as oft as I confider how 
much fhe knew, and writt, and did, I 
am plainly aftonifhed, and blufh even 
for my felfe. O how delightfull en- 
tertaining was this Lady, how grave 
her difcourfe, how unlike the Conver- 
fation of her fex, when fhe was the mofl 
facetious, it would allwayes end in a 
chearfull compofednefs the moft be- 
comeing in the world, for fhe was the 
tendererl: Creature living of taking 
advantage of anothers Imperfections ; 
nothing could be more humble and full 
of Companion, nothing more difpofed 
to all offices of kindnefs. In a word, 
what perfections were fcatered amongft 
others of her fex, feem'd here to be 
united, and fhe went every day im- 

proveing, 



Mrs. Godolphin, 



proveing, ihineing brighter and amend- 
ing ftill in vertue. 

I fhould here add fomething con- 
cerning the obfequies and funerall of 
this blefTed Saint, on which occafion is 
not to be omitted, the earned requefl 
me foe provisionally made, that fhe 
might be interred in the Dormitorye 
of her hufband's family and Relations, 
tho' it were not much lefs then three 
hundred miles diftance from the place 
where fhe was borne and bred, that 
foe her afhes might hereafter be min- 
gPd with his whome foe intirely fhe 
loved ; and which, after her Corps had 
been embalm'd and wrapt in Lead, was 
(as your Ladyfhipp knows) as religi- 
oufly perform'd, decently and with 
much honour, but without pomp or 
oftentation, on the 16 th day of Sep- 
tember, 1678, in the Church of Bre- 
ague, in the parifh of Godolphin, in 
Cornwall, of which that family have 

been 

G G 



225 



226 



The Life of 



been Lords and of illuftrious name both 
before and fince the Conqueft ; and 
where, being alive, fhe had often in my 
hearing exprerTed fuch a longing defire 
to have paffed the reft of her dayes, 
that, being remote from the noife of 
Cittyes, Courts, and the fubjecting Im- 
pertinences attending them, fhe might 
intirely vacate [to] the fervice of God : not 
but that wherever me lived fhe did it as 
much as ever any bleffed Creature did, 
but becaufe fhe fan eyed fhe fhould doe 
it better there, which was impoflible. 

Here then let us leave our Saint at 
reft, but our felves at none, till by fol- 
lowing her example wee arrive at that 
blefTed repofe whether fhe is gone be- 
fore. 

For thou (deare Souk) to Heavens fledd. 
Haft all the vertues with thee, thither 
Wee here fee thee no more, [ledd, 
Thou to that bright and glorious place 

Art 



Mrs. Godolphin. 



Art runn, haft won the Race : 
A Crowne of Rayes, 
And never fadeing Bayes, 
Such as on Heaven's Parnaffus grows, 

Deck thyne Angelick Brows ; 
A Robe of Righteoufnefs about thee caft. 
Bathed in Celeftiall Blifs, thou there doft 
toft 
Pleafures att God's right hand, 
Pleafures that ever loft, 
And greater then, wee here can vnder- 

ftand, 
Butt are for fuch as ferve him beft re- 
ferv 9 d in ft ore. 

2. 

How long, Lord, ah ! how long 

Wate wee below ! 
Our foden feete ftick in the Clay, 
Wee thro 9 the bo dye's Dungeon fee no day. 

Sorrows on for rows throng, 
Friendfhipps {the fouls of life) and 

frends depart 
To other worlds, and new Relations know. 

Ah! 



227 



228 


The Life of 




Ah ! thou who art 




The ftarry orbs above 




EJfentiall love y 




Reach forth thy gratious hand. 




And fend me wings for flighty 




Sett me vpon that holy Land, 




bring me to the happy fhoare 




Where no dark night 




Obfcure the day, where all is light ; 




A Citty there not made with hands 




Within the blifsfull Region ft an ds> 




Where wee in every ftreete 




Our dear eft friends againe fhall meete, 




And friendfhipps more refirfd andfweete 3 




And never loofe them more. 




Amen. 




Finis. 




Epitaph. 



Mrs. Godolphin, 



Epitaph. 

In Margaritam Epitaphium. 

Here lyes a pearle none fuch the ocean 

yields 
In all the Treafures of his liquid fields ; 
Butt fuch as that wife Merchant wifely 

fought 
Who the bright Gemm with all hisfub- 

ftance bought. 
Such to Jerufalem above tranflates 
Our God, fadorne the Entrance of her 

gates. 
'The Spoufe with fuch Embrodery does 

come 
To meete her Nuptialls the Celeftiall 

Groome, 



On the copper plate fbthered 
on the Coffinn. 



229 




Notes- 



page I. 




ADT STLVIUS. Anne, daughter 

of William Howard, fourth fon of 

Thomas, firft Earl of Berkfhire, and 

wife of Sir Gabriel Sylvius. See 

Table IV. 

P. 5. " An ancient Stiff olke family" See 
Table I. and the note attached to it. 

P. 6. " Mrs. Blagge." See the fame table. 
P. 7. " Bijhop of Ely. 99 Dr. Peter Gun- 
ning, Bifhop of Chichefter in 1669, Bifhop of 
Ely in 1 674, who " can do nothing but what is 
well." — Diary, Feb. 23, 1673. 

P. 8. " Old Ducbefs of Richmond:' Mary 
Villiers, lifter of George, fecond Duke of Buck- 
ingham, and widow of James Stuart, third Duke 
of Richmond. See Table III. 

P. 8. "late Countefs of Guilford:' Eliza- 
beth Fielding, coufm of the Duke of Bucking- 
ham 



2 3 



Notes, 



ham and of the Duchefs of Richmond. See 
Table III. 

P. 8. " Groom of the Stoo/e," (Cuftos Stoke.) 
The Countefs of Guilford was fucceeded, as 
"groom of the ftole" to Henrietta Maria, by 
Lady Arlington (Ifabella de NafTau, who after- 
wards married Henry Fitzroy, firft Duke of Graf- 
ton). At a later period, in 1704, the Duchefs of 
Marlborough was appointed " Groom of the 
Stole" to Queen Anne, but the title of her office 
was changed to " Miftrefs of the Robes." Eliza- 
beth, the heirefs of the great houfe of Percy and 
wife of Charles, (the proud) Duke of Somerfet, 
was made " Groom of the Stole " in 1 7 1 o. Since 
the acceffion of the Houfe of Hanover, the title 
of " Groom of the Stole," has been given, I be- 
lieve, exclufively, to the principal noble attendant 
on the perfon of the King, and now, of the Prince 
Confort. In p. 103 Lord Rochefter is called 
Mailer of the Robes, and Godolphin himfelf was 
appointed to that office in July 1678. In fome 
French memoirs the title has been fpelled "Grum- 
ftul," and a lingular perverfion of its meaning may 
be feen in the Memoirs of the Comte de Brienne. 

P. 8. " the late Queen's mother" An error 
for Queen-mother : viz. Henrietta Maria, who 
died Aug. 10. 1669. 

P. 9. "the then Duchefs of York." Anne 
Hyde, daughter of the Lord Chancellor Claren- 
don, 



Notes, 



don, and firfl wife of James, Duke of York, after- 
wards James II. 

P. 1 1 . " //'// the Ducbefs died" March 3 1, 
1 671. 

P. 12. " My Lady Falmouth:' Elizabeth 
(or Mary?) Bagot, daughter of Hervey Bagot, 
who had been one of the maids of honour to the 
Duchefs of York, and who was at this time the 
widow of Charles Berkeley, firft Vifcount Fitz- 
hardinge and Earl of Falmouth, killed in the fea- 
fight with the Dutch, June 3, 1665. Pepys calls 
her, in 1666, " a pretty woman; fhe was now 
in her fecond or third mourning, and pretty plea- 
fant in her looks." In July 1667, he fays that 
fhe was about to marry young Jermyn : fhe how- 
ever married, for her fecond hufband, Charles 
Sackville, Earl (afterwards created Duke) of Dor- 
fet. See Table II. 

P. 21. " Some play to be acled by the maids 
of honour" See an account of what took place 
on Dec. 15, 1674. 

P. 21. s( Ducbefs of Monmouth " The Lady 
Anne Scot, daughter and fole heir of Francis, 
Earl of Buccleuch, wife of James, Duke of Mon- 
mouth, who was beheaded July 15, 1685. 

P. 22. " That of Micba," rather Malachi 
iii. 17. 

P. 27. " Our family es being neare to one an- 
other" The family feat of the Evelyns was at 

Wotton, 



2 33 



H H 



234 



Notes. 

Wotton, in Surrey, where Evelyn often vifited, 
although he did not refide there till May 1694. 
Afhted, near Epfom, belonged to Sir Robert 
Howard, uncle to Lady Sylvius : Deepden, now 
Mr. Hope's, belonged to Mr. Charles Howard, 
anceftor of the prefent Duke of Norfolk : and 
Albury, now Mr. Drummond's, was the refidence 
of Henry Howard, afterwards Duke of Norfolk. 
All thefe places are at fhort diftances from each 
other. 

P. 27. " Your mother and Jifler" Mrs. Wil- 
liam Howard, [Elizabeth, daughter of Lord Dun- 
das] and Dorothy Howard, afterwards Mrs. 
Graham. See Table IV. 

P. 30. " Your fifter y then maid of honour" 
See the laft note. 

P. 34. " Paulina and Euftochius" See p. 
62, and all the accounts of St. Jerome. 

P. 48. " Att Whitehall, whither fie came 
from St. fames" to the Queen's fervice, after the 
death of the Duchefs of York in 1671. 

P. 52. "Mr. G dolphin fent abroad" In 
1668 he accompanied his brother Sir William on 
a mimon to Spain. 

P. 56. " At Berkley houfe." The fplendid 
manfion built by Sir John Berkeley of Bruton, 
created Lord Berkeley of Stratton, at Hay Hill 
Farm, in the parifh of St. James. The names 
and titles are ftill preferved in fohn Street, Berke- 
ley 



Notes. 

ley Square and Street, Bruton Street, Stratton 
Street, Hay Street, Hill Street and alfo Hay- 
bill, Farm Street, and Charles Street, after Lord 
Berkeley's brother, Charles, Earl of Falmouth. 
Part of the gardens are frill preferved in thofe at- 
tached to Devonfliire Houfe and Lanfdowne (ori- 
ginally Bute) Houfe. Some idea of their extent 
may be formed from this enumeration. A de- 
fcription of Berkeley Houfe is given by Evelyn 
in his Diary, Sept. 25, 1672 : no view of it is 
known to exift. Pennant, whofe error is copied 
by many others, ftrangely attributes the building 
of this houfe to the family of the Earls of Berke- 
ley : of courfe the fcandalous anecdote introduced 
by him is equally out of place with his more 
fober narrative that Chriftian, Countefs of Devon- 
fhire, lived " in the antient houfe — on the fite of 
Berkeley Houfe, where fhe received Waller and 
Denham, and where fhe died in 1674," (Jan. 16, 
1674-5). Now John, Lord Berkeley of Stratton, 
the builder of Berkeley Houfe, did not die till the 
year 1678, and, after his death, his widow con- 
tinued to refide there; for in 1684, Evelyn was 
confulted by Lady Berkeley of Stratton as to the 
propriety of building two ftreets in Berkeley Gar- 
dens, " referving the houfe and as much of the 
gardens as the breadth of the houfe," apparently 
Berkeley Street and Stratton Street. After the 
death of Lady Berkeley, the manfion was inha- 
bited 



2 35 



236 



Notes. 



bited by the Princefs (afterwards Queen) Anne 
until Jan. 1695. 

The old town houfe of the Earls of Devon- 
fhire was not in Piccadilly, but in Bifhopfgate, 
where Devonfhire Square now Hands; William, 
the fecond earl, died there in 1628. His widow, 
Chriftian, the loyal and exemplary Countefs of 
Devonfhire, did not refide in London, fhe lived 
and died at Roehampton in Surrey, in the houfe 
which had been inhabited by Wefton, Earl of 
Portland, and now belongs to Mr. Robert Gof- 
ling the banker. It was at Roehampton, not in 
Piccadilly, that fhe received Waller and Denham. 
Her fon William, the third earl, died in the fame 
houfe in Nov. 1684. His fon William, the 
fourth Earl (afterwards created Duke) of De- 
vonfhire, having, at firft, no town houfe, rented 
and lived in Montague Houfe (the Britifh Mu- 
feum in Great Ruffell Street), which was burned 
down during his occupation of it in Jan. 1686. 
After the acceffion of William III. " the Duke of 
Devonfhire took it into his head, that could he 
have the Duchefs of Portfmouth's lodgings (at 
Whitehall) where there was a fine room for 
balls, it would give him a very magnificent air." 
(Duchefs of Marlborough's Defence of her Con- 
dud, p. 29.) It is probable that the Duke pur- 
chafed Berkeley Houfe after 1695, and changed 
its name to Devonfhire Houfe, fmce Bifhop Ken- 
net 



Notes. 

net fays he died Aug. 18, 1707, in te Devonfhire 
Houfe, Piccadilly." The prefent Devonfhire 
Houfe, flanding certainly on the fite of Berkeley 
Houfe, was not built by him, but by his grandfon, 
the third duke, fome time after the year 1730. To 
this houfe and to its builder applies the epigram 
compofed by Horace (afterwards Lord Walpole 
of Wolterton), brother of Sir Robert Walpole, 
who, calling one day at Devonfhire Houfe, which 
was juft finifhed, and not finding the Duke at 
home, left this epigram upon the table, 

" Ut dominus, domus eft ; non extra fulta columnis 
Marmoreis fplendet j quod tenet, intus habet." 

Sir John Denham, whofe name being affociated 
with that of the Countefs of Devonfhire perhaps 
mifled Pennant, had a houfe and gardens in Pic- 
cadilly, where Burlington Houfe now Hands, ad- 
joining to which Hood Lord Clarendon's famous 
manfion, afterwards the Duke of Albemarle's, the 
fite of the prefent Albemarle Street, Dover Street, 
and Bond Street. The three manfions thus named, 
viz. Sir John Denham's, Albemarle Houfe, and 
Berkeley Houfe, occupied nearly the whole of the 
north of Piccadilly : the ground to the weft of 
Berkeley Houfe was divided into fix fields, known 
as " Pennilefs Bank," " Little Brook-field," 
" Stone Bridge- field," " Great Brook- field," 
" Mr. Audley's land," and " Shoulder of Mut- 
ton Field." To the north, Berkeley Gardens 



237 



2 3 8 



Notes. 



were bounded by the land "where graze the 
cows" of Alexander Davies, of Ebury, in Pim- 
lico, whofe daughter and heir, Mary, married Sir 
Thomas Grofvenor in 1676, and whofe name is 
preferved in " Davies Street." 

George, Lord Berkeley, of Berkeley, afterwards 
Earl of Berkeley, lived at another Berkeley Houfe, 
in the pariih of St. John's, Clerkenwell, on the 
lite of the prefent Berkeley Street, which leads 
from St. John's Lane to Red Lion Street. His 
family had lived there for feveral generations, his 
father died there Aug. 1658, his third fon James 
was baptized there, 1 June 1663, and from the 
fame houfe he writes on Feb. 23, 1678, to Pepys, 
who on the previous day acknowledges a letter 
from his lordfhip " at St. John's'" (Correfpond- 
ence,vol. v. pp. 42 — 45). In Clerkenwell alfo, in 
1 68 1 , Lord Berkeley received a deputation (headed 
by Tillotfon, then Dean of Canterbury) from Sion 
College, to which he had prefented the library 
collected by Sir Robert Coke, fon of Lord Chief 
Juftice Coke. From the Coke family Lord Berke- 
ley inherited Durdans, near Epfom, mentioned as 
his refidence both by Evelyn and Pepys. Clerk- 
enwell has long fince ceafed to be a fafhionable 
neighbourhood, but in the feventeenth century it 
pofTefTed the manfions of the Earls of Aylefbury, 
Berkeley, and Northampton, the Duke of New- 
caftle, the Challoner family, &c. : Bifhop Burnet 

and 



Notes. 



239 



and many others attached to the court alio refided 
there. The ftreets are many of them named after 
their former owners or inhabitants. The Mar- 
quis of Northampton ftill retains vaft property in 
Clerkenwell and Illington. 

P. 60. " The mother of the maids" Lady 
Sanderfon, wife of Sir William Sanderfon. 

P. 61. « My Lady." Lady Berkeley (fee 
Table II.) was Chriftiana, daughter of Sir Andrew 
Riccard, Knight; and widow of Henry Rich, 
Lord Keniington, only fon of Robert Rich, fecond 
Earl of Holland and fifth Earl of Warwick, by 
Elizabeth Ingram, his firft wife. Sir Andrew 
Riccard was one of London's richeft merchant- 
princes : he was Prefident of the Eaft India Com- 
pany, and in that capacity figures in the great cafe 
of monopolies, Skinner v. E.I. Company. A 
marble ftatue, erected to his honour by the Tur- 
key Company, of which he was prefident for 
eighteen years, ftill exifts on his monument in the 
Church of St. Olave, Hart Street. He was 
knighted July 10, 1668, and died Sept. 6, 1672, 
aged 68. 

P. 61. " Your two fifters" Apparently an 
error for " you two fillers." See Table IV. 

P. 67. " Her fifter, the Lady Tarborough." 
See Table I. It may fumce here to ftate that 
this lady, [Henrietta Maria Blagge] whofe conducT; 
was not free from blame, has been miitaken by 

fome 



240 



Notes. 

fome editors of Grammont and by Horace Wal- 
pole for the fubjeft of this memoir. 

P. 67. "The Dean of Hereford:' George 
Benfon. 

P. 84. "From Twicknam." "Twicken- 
ham Park, Lord Berkeley's country feat," Diary, 
March 23, 1676. It was lately the property of 
Mr. Francis Gofling, the banker. 

P. 93. " Play at Court before their Majef- 
ties" " Saw a comedie at night at Court, ailed 
by the ladies only, amongft them Lady Mary and 
Ann, his Royal Highnefs' two daughters, and my 
dear friend Mrs. Blagg, who having the principal 
part, performed it to admiration. They were all 
covered with jewels," Diary, Dec. 15, 1674. 
The play was " Califto or the Chafte Nymph," 
by John Crowne. It was printed in 1675, and 
a copy is preferved in the library of the Britifh 
Mufeum. After the title-page is a lift of the per- 
formers, all of whom however did not bear, at 
the time of afting the play, the titles which the 
printed lift gives to them. The lift is as fol- 
lows : 

Califto, a chafte and favourite nymph of Diana, 
beloved by Jupiter. " Her Highnefs the Lady 
Mary," a daughter of the Duke of York, and 
afterwards Queen of England. 

Nyphe, a chafte young nymph, friend to Ca- 
lifto. " Her Highnefs the Lady Anne," a daugh- 
ter 



Notes. 

ter of the Duke of York, and afterwards Queen 
of England. 

Jupiter, in love with Califto. "The Lady 
Henrietta Wentworth," rather Henrietta, Baron- 
efs Wentworth, which dignity defcended to her 
on the death, in 1665, of her father, Thomas 
Wentworth, laft Earl of Cleveland. She is well 
known from her difgraceful connexion at a later 
period with the Duke of Monmouth, whom fhe 
did not long furvive, dying on April 23, 1686. 

Juno. « The Countefs of SufTex." Lady Anne 
Fitzroy, daughter of Charles II. by the Duchefs 
of Cleveland and wife of Thomas, Lord Dacre and 
Earl of SufTex. 

Pfecas, an envious nymph, enemy to Califto, 
beloved by Mercury. " The Lady Mary Mor- 
dant," daughter and heir of Henry, fecond Earl 
of Peterborough : me married in 1677, Henry, 
feventh Duke of Norfolk, from whom fhe was 
divorced in April 1700. She afterwards married 
Sir John Germaine, to whom fhe left a great part 
of the Peterborough eftates. 

Diana, goddefs of Chaftity. "Mrs. Blagge, 
late maid of honour to the Queen." Mrs. Go- 
dolphin. 

Mercury, in love with Pfecas. " Mrs. Jen- 
nings, maid of honour to the Duchefs." Sarah 
Jennings, afterwards married to John Churchill, 
the great Duke of Marlborough. 

The 



24I 



242 



Notes. 

The " Nymphs attending on Diana, who alfo 
danced in the Prologue, and in feveral Entries in 
the Play," were 

" The Countefs of Darby." Dorothea Helena, 
daughter of John Poliander de Kirkhoven, by 
Catharine, Countefs of Chefterfield, daughter of 
Thomas, fecond Lord Wotton. The Countefs 
was widow of Charles Stanley, eighth Earl of 
Derby, who had died Dec. 21, 1672. 

" The Countefs of Pembroke." Henriette de 
Querouaille (filler to the Duchefs of Portfmouth), 
wife of Philip Herbert, feventh Earl of Pembroke. 
Bifhop Kennett fpells the name Carewell. 

"The Lady Katharine Herbert." Sifter-in- 
law to the preceding, being daughter of Philip, 
fifth Earl of Pembroke, by Katharine, daughter 
of Sir William Villiers of Brooke/by. 

" Mrs. Fitz-Gerald." Probably Katharine 
(daughter of John Fitz Gerald of Dromana), who 
married in 1677, Edward Villiers, eldefr. fon of 
George, fourth Vifcount Grandifon. 

" Mrs. Frazier, maid of honour to the Queen." 

The " men that danced" were 

" His Grace the Duke of Monmouth." 

"The Vifcount Dunblaine." Edward Of- 
borne, Lord Latimer, one of the Gentlemen of 
the Bedchamber to Charles II.,eldeft fon of Tho- 
mas, Earl of Danby (afterwards created Marquis 
of Carmarthen and Duke of Leeds). After the 

reprefentation, 



Notes. 



reprefentation, but before the publication of the 
piece, the Earl of Danby was created Vifcount 
Dunblaine in Scotland, which dignity was af- 
fumed as a title of courte fy by his fon, Lord Lati- 
mer. By Table I. it will be feen that the prefent 
Duke of Leeds is the lineal reprefentative of Mrs. 
Godolphin. 

" The Lord Daincourt." Robert Leake, eld- 
eft fon of Nicolas, fecond Earl of Scarfdale, whom 
he afterwards fucceeded in that title. 

" Mrs. Moon." 

" Mr. Harpe." 

" Mr. Lane." 
Neither in this lift, nor amongft the names given in 
the Diary, is the name of the Duchefs of Mon- 
mouth, whom Evelyn here mentions as one of 
" the fhineing beautyes" who performed. It is pro- 
bable that Evelyn's Diary written at the time, cor- 
roborated as it is by the publifhed lift, is the more 
correct on this point. The Duchefs of Mon- 
mouth too had fome years before met with a fe- 
vere accident whilft dancing, which caufed an in- 
curable lamenefs. See Pepys'Diary, Sept. 20, 1668. 

P. 100. " The Countefs of Suffolk." " Was 
at the repetition of the paftoral, on which occa- 
fion Mrs. Blagg had about her neere 20,000/. 
worth of Jewells, of which fhe loft one, worth 
about 80/., borrow'd of the Countefs of Suffolk. 
The prefs was fo greate, that 'tis a wonder fhe loft 



243 



244 



Notes. 

no more. The Duke made it good." Diary, Dec. 
22, 1674. The Countefs of Suffolk was Barbara, 
daughter of Sir Edward Villiers, (fee Table III.) 
widow of Sir Richard Wentworth, and fecond 
wife of James Howard, third Earl of Suffolk. She 
died in 1681. 

P. 1 03 . " The mafier of the Robes* now Earle 
of ' Roche ft er." Laurence Hyde (fecond fon of 
the Chancellor Clarendon) created Earl of Ro- 
chefter at the end of 1682, a fact which proves 
that Evelyn did not write this life until fome 
years after Mrs. Godolphin's death. 

P. 103. " Dr. Lake" John Lake, after- 
wards Bifhop of Chichefter. 

P. 107. «« My lady Hamilton." " A fprightly 
young lady, much in the good graces of the 
[Berkeley] family, wife of that valiant and worthy 
gentleman George Hamilton, not long after flain 
in the wars. She had been a maid of honour to 
the Duchefs and now turned Papift." Diary, 12 
Nov. 1675. This was Frances Jennings (elder 
filler of Sarah, Duchefs of Marlborough) widow 
of Sir George Hamilton, grandfon of James, firft 
Earl of Abercorn, and brother of Count Anthony 
Hamilton, author of the Memoires de Grammont. 
Lady Hamilton afterwards married Richard Tal- 
bot, created Duke of Tyrconnel, and is well known 
as the Duchefs of Tyrconnel. After this it is 
curious to read in Pennant's words, " Above Hairs 

(at 



Notes. 

(at the New Exchange in the Strand) fat, in the 
character of a millener, the reduced Duchefs of 
Tyrconnel, wife to Richard Talbot, lord deputy 
of Ireland under James II. a bigoted papift, and 
fit inftrument of the defigns of the infatuated 
prince, who had created him Earl before his ab- 
dication, and after that, Duke of Tyrconnel. A 
female, fufpe&ed to have been his duchefs, after 
his death, fupported herfelf for a few days (till 
fhe was known and otherwife provided for) by 
the little trade of this place : having delicacy 
enough not to wifh to be detected, fhe fat in a white 
mafk, and a white drefs, and was known by the 
name of the white widow" This ftory, if true, 
forms a fingular contrail to that which Pepys re- 
lates of her in his Diary, 21 Feb. 1664-5, " What 
mad freaks the mayds of honor at court have ! 
that Mrs. Jenings, one of the DutchefTe's maids, 
the other day dreffed herfelf like an orange wench, 
and went up and down and cried oranges ; till 
falling down, or by fome accident, her fine fhoes 
were difcerned, and fhe put to a great deal of 
fhame." The Duchefs of Tyrconnel died in 
Dublin 7 March, 1730; her hufband died Aug. 
14, 1 69 1. 

P. 109. " Ambajfador to the Court of France" 
John, Lord Berkeley, of Stratton, (fee Table II.) 
left England on this EmbafTy 14 Nov. 1675. 
Evelyn in his Diary for Oct. and Nov. in 1675, 



245 



246 



Notes. 

gives many particulars. If we were to trull to 
the editor of Evelyn's Diary and to the noble 
editor of Pepys', the Lord and Lady Berkeley, fo 
often named as Mrs. Godolphin's warm friends, 
were George Lord Berkeley, afterwards created 
Earl of Berkeley, and his wife Elizabeth, daugh- 
ter and co-heir of John Maffingbeard, efq. of Lin- 
colnfhire, and in the abfence of all connexion 
between them and the families of Blagge and Go- 
dolphin there would be great difficulty in mowing 
any probable caufe for the friendship, not to call 
it patronage, which Mrs. Godolphin and her huf- 
band received. The editors of Evelyn and Pepys 
have unfortunately fallen into the error, which I 
have pointed out as having been committed before 
them by Pennant, of confounding the two Lords 
Berkeley, if not the two " Berkeley-houfes." 

Lord Berkeley of Stratton originally known 
as Sir John Berkeley, and in the fervice of Charles 
I. at the fame time with Colonel Blagge, Mrs. 
Godolphin's father, was concerned with John 
Afhburnham and Colonel Legge in the flight of 
Charles I. from Hampton Court to the Ifle of 
Wight, a vexed point of hiflory, on which Lord 
Clarendon's misftatements have been well cor- 
rected by the late Earl of Afhburnham. During 
the exile of the royal family he became the 
favourite of James, Duke of York, whofe fa- 
vour he never loft ; although he was reprefented 

to 



Notes. 247 



to Charles as the fecret agent of the Court of 
France, and as the known enemy of the Chan- 
cellor Clarendon and his party. The Chancellor's 
enmity Berkeley fhared alike with Afhburnham 
and Legge, the firft however obtained his peerage 
in 1658, as the price of James' return to his bro- 
ther Charles ; the others, although high in favour 
with Charles II. were ennobled in the perfons of 
their defcendants. Clarendon makes the enmity 
between himfelf and Berkeley to arife from his 
oppoiition to Berkeley's claim to the mafterfhip of 
the Court of Wards : James II. in his Memoirs, 
from Clarendon's advice to Lady Morton to reject 
Berkeley's propofals of marriage. Lady Morton, 
one of the brighteft ornaments of " the beautiful 
race of Villiers," was Elizabeth, daughter of Sir 
Edward Villiers, niece of the Duke of Bucking- 
ham, and widow of Robert Douglas, 8 th Earl of 
Morton, who died in 1649. Whilft Lady Dal- 
keith, and during the Hay of Charles the Firft's 
family at Exeter, fhe had had the charge of the 
Princefs Henrietta, afterwards Duchefs of Or- 
leans, and to her Fuller infcribes his " Good 
Thoughts in Bad Times." Her noble refcue of 
her royal ward, whom fhe carried on her back to 
Dover, in the difguife of a beggar and her child, 
is well known. Lady Morton died in 1654. 
Befides enjoying the perfonal favour of the Duke 
of York, Berkeley was a near kinfman of the in- 
fluential 



248 



Notes. 

fluential Harry Jermyn, Earl of St. Alban's, who, 
as we fee by the table of the Blagge family, was 
alfo a relative of Mrs. Godolphin : the clofe con- 
nexion of the Berkeley and Godolphin families 
fully accounts for the long and intimate friendfhip 
which exifted between them. 

After the Reftoration Berkeley's rife was rapid, 
and his employments numerous. In 1 660 he was 
appointed a commiffioner of the Admiralty, in 
June 1662 a privy counfellor for Ireland, and 
foon afterwards Lord Prefident of Connaught. 
In 1664 he was made a mafter of the ordnance, 
and in 1665 a commiffioner of Tangier. Allthefe 
offices he held at the fame time, and fo early as 
1663, Pepys fays that Lord Berkeley boafted of 
having gained £50,000 in the navy alone. This 
fum appears fo great that I fufpecl: fome error in 
the tranfcription of Pepys* Diary. If it be true, 
there can be no wonder that, in 1665, we read of 
Berkeley's beginning a houfe at St. James', next 
to the Lord Chancellor's, nor at Evelyn's men- 
tioning, in 1672, that it had coft £30,000. He 
had alfo more indirect ways of obtaining money 
through his influence with the Duke of York, as 
Pepys mentions in 1668. In April 1670 Lord 
Berkeley was appointed Lord Lieutenant of Ire- 
land, where he remained till Auguft 1672. In 
October 1674, he was named to the embafly to 
France, in which he was accompanied by Mrs. 

Godolphin 



Notes. 

Godolphin and by Evelyn's Ton. From this em- 
baffy he returned in June 1677, and in the fol- 
lowing year he died. 

As Evelyn and Pepys' Diaries may be con- 
fulted, I add the following corrected index to the 
places where Lord Berkeley of Stratton is meant, 
(8vo. editions). Evelyn ii. 255. 260. 373-375. 
398.413.417. 421.425. iii.90. 117. I77-338. 
Pepys i. 115. 121. 122. 163. 282. ; ii. 21. 10 1. 
132. 141. 173. 224. 238. 249, 250. 256. 346. 
423.; iii. 167. 183. 228. 236. 386. 395.; iv. 
62. 1 74. 181. The other places relate to George, 
Lord Berkeley, of Berkeley, afterwards Earl of 
Berkeley, viz. Evelyn, vol. ii. 136. 140. 147. 
198.214.385.; vol. iii. 67. Pepys, vol. i. 39. 
95. 305.; vol. ii. 80.; vol. iii. 87. 230. 291. 
vol. v. 42-45. 

P. 120. "Nothing like Pinto's Travels." 
The name of Fernam Mendez Pinto will ever 
remain affociated with falfehood and exaggeration. 
He lived in the 16th century, but his travels 
were not tranflated into Englifh until 1663, 
whence probably Mrs. Godolphin's acquaintance 
with them. Congreve's well known lines, almoft 
become proverbial, (and which it is impoffible to 
quote without remembering their witty applica- 
tion by theprefent Bifhop of Llandaff,) 

" Fernam Mendez Pinto was but a type of thee, 
Thou liar of the firfb magnitude ! " 

Love for Love, Adl ii. Sc. 5. 

were 
K K 



249 



2 5° 



Notes. 

were not written until after Mrs. Godolphin's 
death. Claude's Defence de la Reformation, 
written in reply to the Janfenift Nicole, was firft 
publifhed in 1673, fo that at the time of Mrs. 
Godolphin's vifit to Paris, the book muft have 
had the additional charm of novelty. 

P. 121. " That baile of theirs." Perhaps 
for bale, forrow, or deftruftion. 

P. 121. " My charge your Jon." "\ fet- 
tled affaires, my fonn being to go into France, 
with my Lord Berkeley, defigned ambafTador ex- 
traordinary for France, and plenipotentiary for the 
general peace of Nimeguen." Diary, 15 Oft. 
1675. This fon was John Evelyn, great-grand- 
father of the prefent Archbiihop of York. At 
this time he was about nineteen years of age. 

P. 122. "My Lady H." Lady Hamilton, 
fee p. 107. 

P. 125. "Mr. Bernard Greenvile," of Abf- 
Court at Walton on Thames in Surrey, fi an old 
houfe in a pretty parke." Diary, 17 Sept. 1673. 
In Auguft 1672, Bernard Grenville had been 
fent on a miffion to Savoy, and it was probably on 
his return from this miffion that he efcorted Mrs. 
Godolphin to England. He was the fecond fon 
of Sir Beville Grenville, killed at Lanfdowne 
fight, whofe eldeft fon, Sir John Grenville, the 
bearer of Charles II. 's meffages to the Lords and 
Commons, was created Vifcount Lanfdowne and 

Earl 



Notes. 

Earl of Bath. After the death, without ifTue, of 
William, grandfon of the firft Earl of Bath ; 
George, fecond fon of Bernard Grenville, was 
created Lord Lanfdowne in 1 7 1 1 . He is well 
known from his poetical talents. 

P. 126. tc Dr. Warnetfs in Covent Garden, 
wbofe wife was her near relation" Of this re- 
lationfhip I find no trace. 

P. 129. " Leafe Jbe had of certain e lands in 
Spalding" See Diary of 9 Nov. 1676. « Fi- 
nifhed the leafe of Spalding for Mr. Godolphin." 

P. 130. C( Her pretty habitation in Scotland 
Yard" " To London, to take order about the 
building of an houfe, or rather an apartment 
which had all the conveniences of an houfe, for 
my deare friend Mr. Godolphin and lady, which 
I undertook to contrive and furvey, and employ 
workmen, till it mould be quite finifhed, it be- 
ing juft over againft his majefties wood yard by 
the Thames fide, leading to Scotland Yard." 
Diary, 12 Sept. 1676. 

P. 136. " The piclure Jbe fome years fince 
b eft owed upon me." See preface, and the portrait 
prefixed to this volume. 

P. 137. "My lady V if count efs Mordant." 
Elizabeth Carey, daughter and fole heir of Tho- 
mas, fecond fon of Robert, Earl of Monmouth, 
wife of John, Vifcount Mordaunt of Avalon, 
eldeft fon of John, Earl of Peterborough. 

P- 137- 



z 5 l 



2 5 2 



Notes. 



P. 137. " Your lady/hip and fifter Gr"{aham). 
Dorothy Howard, wife of Colonel James Gra- 
ham of Levens. See Table IV. 

P. 138. "Mr. AJhmoles att Lambath." This 
viflt was on the 23 rd of July, and on the fame 
day, " Mr. Godolphin was made matter of the 
robes to the King." On the 25 July, Evelyn 
adds, " there was fent to me £70 from whom I 
knew not, to be by me diftributed among poore 
people : I afterwards found it was from that 
deere friend (Mrs. Godolphin) who had fre- 
quently given me large fums to bellow on cha- 
rities." It is fcarcely neceifary to fay that the 
mufeum called " Mr. Afhmole's att Lambath" 
is now the Ammolean at Oxford. Of the MSS. 
which Evelyn mentions in his Diary, a catalogue 
has recently been printed by the Univerlity. 

P. 143. " Mr. Harvye, treafurer.to her Ma- 
jeftye." John Hervey, eldeft fon of Sir William 
Hervey of Ickworth ; he was a great favourite 
with Charles II. a leading man in Parliament, 
and a patron of letters : he died 18 Jan. 1679. 

P. 146. " Dr. Needham." Diary, Nov. 4, 
1679. " Went to the funerall of my pious, 
dear and ancient learned friend, Dr. Jafper Need- 
ham, who was buried at St. Bride's Church. He 
was a true and holy Chriftian, and one who 
loved me with greate affection." 

P. 146. "Dr. Short." Dr. Peregrine Short, 

" reputed 



Notes. 



" reputed a papift, but who was in truth, a very 
honeft good Chriftian," and by whofe advice 
Charles II. had firft taken the Jefuits back. 
Diary, 29 Nov. 1694. 

P. 152. " Mrs. Bofcawen^ her filter in law, 
fee Tables I. and V. 



2 53 



TABLE I. 



254 



Notes. 




TABLE I. 

PEDIGREE OF BLAGGE AND GODOLPHIN, 



Arg. 2 bends engrailed, 
gu. for BLAGGE. 



Cecily, (second wife) dau. : 
of Sir John Brooke, Lord 
Cobham, by Margaret, dau. 
of Edward Neville, Lord 
Abergavenny. She married 
also John Barret, and, third- 
ly, Sir Richard Walden, 
Knt. She died 35 Hen. VIII. 



Robert Blagge, or— Katherine, (firs, n 
wife), dau. and hi 
of Thos. Brune , 
or Browne of 

Horseman's 
Place, in Dart 
ford, co. Kent. 



Blague, or Blage 
of Broke Montague, 
co. Somerset, and 
Cleyndon,in Darent, 
co. Kent. Baron of 
the Exchequer, 27 
June, 1511, d. 13 Sept. 
1522. 



Anne, {first; 
wife) dau. of 
Sir George 
Hevening- 

liam. 



:Sir Ambrose— Dorothy, (second wife) dau.= 
Jermyn, of of William Badbye, widow 
Rushbrook, of Richard Goodriche. In 
co. Suffolk, 1563, she had a lease from 
d. 1577. Eliz. of the manor of Stan- 

more, co. Middlesex, d. Apr. 
1594. 



I 
: Sir George 

Blagge, 
Knt. b. 1512, 
d. 1551. See 
note A. 



Barnaby 
Blagge, who 
in33Hen.VIII. 

sold Horse- 
man's Place, 
ob. s. p. 



John 
Blag 

GE, Ob 

s. p. 



Sir Robert — Judith 

JERMYN, OfTBLAGGE, 

Rushbrook, d. Oct. 
d. 19 April, 1614. 
1614. 



Henry Blagge, of Homings— =Hesther 



herth, co. Suffolk, who sold 
Cleyndon,24 Eliz. d. Apr. 1596. 



Susan, who mar- 
ried Sir William 
Hervey, ancestor 
of the Marquess 
of Bristol. 



1 

Sir Thomas = 
Jermyn, of I 
Rushbrooke, I 
living 1622. I 



Jermyn, 

m.8 0ct. 

1571. 



Charles Le=Hesthei i 
Grise, of Blagge j. 



Brockdish. 



m. 25 

Nov. 



Marga-=Ambrose Blagge,— JWartha Barber, Doro 

ret | ofHorningsherth, ~of Bury, first wife, thy 

Clarke. | d. 1662. m. 31 Mar. 1608, Blag 

d. Aug. 1624. ge. 



Five children. 



Thomas Jer- Henry Jer- 
myn, whose myn, creat- 
son, Tho- ed Lord Jer- 
mas, sue- myn in 1684, 
ceeded as with limita- 
second Lord tion to his 



Colonel Thomas Blagge, of==MARY North 



Horningsherth, Groom of the 
Bedchamber to Charles I. and 
Governor of Wallingford, which 
surrendered to Fairfax in 1646. 
After the restoration he was co- 
Jermyn, but brother, ere- lonel of a regiment and Gov- 



died s. p. 
1703. 



in ated Earl of ernor of Yarmouth and Land 

St. Albans guard Fort, d. 14 Nov. 1660, bur. 

1660. Died at Westminster, where a monu- 

s. p. 16S3. ment to him formerly existed. 



Sir Tho-— Henrietta 



dau. of Sir Ro- 
ger North, of 

Mildenhall, 
by Elizabeth, 

dau. of Sir 
John Gilbert, 
of Great Fin- 

borow, co. 
Suffolk. 



11 

, George 



i " I I 
III 
Martha 



,: 



Harry 
Blagge. 



Katha- 
rine. 



mas Yar- 

BURGH Of 

Snaith, 
Sheriff of 

Yorksh. 

1676, eet. 

37. 



Mari. 
Blagge 
(for whom 
see Gram- 
mont's-Me- 
moirs). 



„ I I 

Dorothy 

Blagge. 

Mary 
Blagge. 



MARGA-= 
RET 
BLAGGE, 
b. 2 Aug. 
1652, Maid 
of Honor 
to Queen Catharine, 
m. 16 May, 1675, d. 
9 Sept. 1678, buried 
at Breage, co. Corn- 
wall, 16 Sept. 1678. 



: Sidney Godolphin, 3rd 
son of Sir Francis Go- 
dolphin, K. B. A Lord 
of the Treasury in 1679, 
and First Lord in 1684. 
Created Lord Godol- 
phin, of Rialton,\n Sept. 
1684. Lord High Trea- 
surer in 1704, K. G. cre- 
ated Viscount Rialton, 
and Earl of Godolphin, 
29 Dec. 1706. Died 1712. 



I I 

Henry— Mary Jan 
Godol- 
phin, 
Pro- 
vost of 
Eton, 
and 
Dean 
of St. 
Paul's, 
d. Jan. 
1733. 



dau. 


Go. 


of 


DOL 


Col. 


PH1H 


Sid- 


m. 


ney 


Edwi 


Go- 


Bos- 


dol- 


ca- 


phin 


wer | 




Sw 




Tal 




V. 



I I I I ' I " ■' I ' I '■ 1 I I 

UJ I I J i I I I 

en children, of whom two were 
laids of honor. The youngest of 
lese (Alice), was maid of honor 
) Queen Anne, dying at Windsor 
1 1786, set. 97. The other (Henri- 
! |tta Maria) married Sir M armaduke 
tfVyvill, bart.of Constable Burton, 
Yorkshire. 



Notes. 



Francis Godoi,phin, 2nd: 
Earl of Godolphin, and 
Viscount Rialton,b.3 Sept. 
1678, created in 1735, Lord 
Godolphin of Helstone, 
with remainder to the is- 
sue of his uncle Henry. 
Died 17 Jan. 1766. 



2 55 



: Henrietta Church- Francis 
ill, eldest dau. and Godol- 
co-heirol'John,Duke PHiN,2nd 
of Marlborough. Du- Lord Go- 
chess of Marlborough dolphin 0/ 
in her own right. Helstone. 
Died 24 Oct. 1733, Ob. s. p. 
set. 53. 1785. 



| 1. | | 2. 

HOMAS =pHENRI- HENRY THOMAS OS— MARY Go- 



Pelham 

HOLLES, 

)uke of 

«Iewcas- 

K.G. 



ETTA 

Godol- 
phin, 

m. 2 
April, 
1717, d. 

s. p. 



GODOL- 
THIN, 

died 
young. 



borne, 4th 
Duke of 
Leeds, b. 6 
Nov. 1713. 
K.G. d. 23 
Mar. 1789. 



DOLPHIN, 

m. 26 

June, 

1740, d. 3 

Aug. 1764, 

set. 41. 



William Godolphin, = 
called Viscount Rial- 
ton, afterwards Mar- 
quis of Blandford, ob. 
s. p. 24 Aug. 1731, 
whereby the Marlbo- 
rough titles and es- 
tates passed to Spen- 
cer, Earl of Sunder- 
land. 



:MARY CATERINA 

d'Yonghe, d. of 
Peter d'Yonghe, 
of Utrecht, m. 15 
April, 1729; she 
remarried, 1st 
June, 1734, Sir 
William Wynd- 
ham, Bart, and 
d.1779, s. p. Bu- 
ried at Mortlake. 



'HOMAS OS- 

jorne, Mar- 
uis of Car- 
larthen, b. 



Amelia D'Arcy, (first wife) only— Francis Godolphin —Catharine Anguish, 



dau. and h. of Robert, last Earl T Oseorne, 5th Duke 
of HoldernesSj and Baroness Con- of Leeds, born 29 
i. yers. remarried in 1779, John Jan. 1751, died 31 
r47,d.l761. Byron, esq. (father of Lord By- I Jan. 1799. 
ron) and died in 1781. 



(second wife) m. 1788, 

Mistress of the Robes to 

Queen Adelaide, d. 1837. 



r 

EORGE WlL-: 
,1AM FREDE- 

ic Osborne, 
ith Duke of 
-eeds, Baron 
Conyers, b. 
775, m. 1797, 
d. 1838. 



zCHARLOTTE 
TOWNS- 

hend, dau. 

of George, 

1st Marquis 

Towns- 

hend. 



I 
I 
Francis Go- 
dolphin Os- 
borne, b. 
1777, m.1800. 
Created in 
1832, Lord 
Godolphin 
of Farnham 
Royal. 



:elizabeth 
Charlotte 
Eden. dau. 
of William, 
1st Lord 
Auckland. 



Tho = 
mas 
Pel- 
ham, 
Earl 
of 
Chi- 
ches- 
ter. 



I I I 

: MaryHen- Sidney Catharine 

rietta Ju- Godol- Anne Mary 

liana Os- phin Osborne, b. 

borne, b. Os- 1798, ni. in 

1776, m. borne, 1819, Capt. 

1801. b. 16 John Whyte 

Dec. Melville. 



RANClS^zLOUISA 
10DOL- CATHA- 
PHIN RINE 

)'ARCY Caton. 
Os- 

orne, 7th Duke 
Leeds, b. 1798, 
m. 1828. 



I 

GEORGE: 

Os- 
borne, 
b. 1802, 
m. 1824. 



Stew- 
art. 



I I 

William = Caroline Sydney— Emi- 



b. 1804, 
m. first 
Etiima 
Smith, 
in 1832. 



Montagu, Godol- 

(sec. wife) phin 

dau. of Os- 

Lord borne, 

Rokeby, b. 1800, 

m. lt-34. in holy 

orders. 



LY, 

d. of 
Pas- 

COE 
G REN- 
FELL. 



D'Arcy 
Godol- 
phin 
Osborne, 
b. 1814. 



Char- 
lotte 
Os- 
borne, 
b. 1805, 
m. Sir 
T. H. L. Brinck- 
man,Bart. d.1838. 



Note A. 



256 



Notes. 




Note A. 

IR George Blagge deferves more 
notice than the mere mention of his 
name in the preceding table. 



He was born in the year 1512, and 
was educated at Cambridge. 1 At a comparatively 
early age he was introduced at the Court of Henry 
VIII. 2 and in the abfence of other criteria we may 
judge favourably of him from the characters of his 
two chief companions and friends, the Earl of Surrey 
and Sir Thomas Wyat. In October, 1 54.3, when the 
Imperialifts under the immediate eye of Charles V. 
aided by the Englifh under the command of Sir 
John Wallop, formed the liege of Landreci, 3 which 
Francis I. haftened to relieve in perfon, Surrey 
with other young nobles, joined the Englifh forces, 
and was accompanied in his expedition by G. Blagge. 
Both incurred perfonal danger, and Sir John Wal- 
lop mentions in a letter to the King a narrow efcape 
of Blagge 4 in thefe terms. " Yefterday, Blagge, 
who arrived here with my Lord of Surrey, went 
with Mr. Carew to fee the faid trench, and efcaped 
very hardly from a piece of ordnance that was mot 
towards him." 



1 Works of Surrey and Wyat, by Nott, vol. i. p. xcvi. 

2 Strype's Annals (Oxford Ed.), vol. ii. pt. ii. p. 419. 

3 Surrey and Wyat, vol. i. app. xxxix. 

4 lb. vol. i. p. lvii. 

A proof 



Notes. 



A proof of the high eftimation in which Blagge 
was held by Surrey, is afforded by the following 
beautiful lines, prefixed to his verfion of the lxxiii 
Pfalm. 5 

" The fudden Jiorms that heave me to and fro, 

Had well near pierced Faith, my guiding fail. 
For I that on the noble voyage go 

To fuccour truth, and falfe hood to ajfail, 
Conftrained am to bear my fails full lovj ; 

And never could attain fome pie af ant gale. 
For unto fuch the profperous winds do blow 

As men from port to port to fee k avail. 
This bred defpair -, vjhereoffuch doubts did grovo 

That I gan faint, and all my courage fail. 
But novo, my Blage, mine error nvell I fee ; 

Such goodly light King David giveth me" 

In a court like that of Henry VIII. high favour 
was near akin to danger and to death, and Blagge 
efcaped as hardly from the fires in Smithfield as from 
the French cannon at Landreci. In 154.6, when 
Wriothefley and Gardiner commenced their perfe- 
ctions on the ftatute of the Six Articles, he was 
taken up as a "favorer of the Gofpel," 6 and was 
only faved by Henry's perfonal interpofition. Fox's 
narrative is this : 7 

" Here would alfo fomething be faid of Sir George 



5 Surrey and Wyat, vol. i. p. 80. 

6 Strype's Memorials, vol. i. pt. i. p. 598. 

7 Fox's A£h and Monuments, 1135 (ed. 1546). 



L L 



257 



2 5 8 



Notes, 



Blage, one of the King's Privy Chamber, who, 
being falfely accufed by Sir Hugh Caverley, lent, 
and Mafter Littleton, was fent for by Wriothefley, 
Lord Chancellor, the Sunday before Anne Afkew 
fuffered, and the next day was carried to Newgate, 
and from thence to Guildhall, where he was con- 
demned the fame day, and appointed to be burned 
the Wednefday following. The words which his 
accufers laid unto him were thefe : * What if a moufe 
mould eat the bread ? then, by my confent, they 
mould hang up the moufe :' whereas, indeed thefe 
words he never fpake, as to his life's end he pro- 
tefted. But the truth (as he faid) was this, that 
they, craftily to undermine him, walking with him 
in Paul's Church, after a fermon of Dr. Crome, 
afked if he were at the fermon. He faid, * Yea,' 
' I heard fay,' faith Mafter Littleton, < that he faid 
in his fermon, that the mafs profiteth neither for the 
quick nor for the dead.' 1 * No,' faith Mafter Blage, 
* Wherefore then ? Belike for a gentleman, when 
he rideth a hunting, to keep his horfe from Hum- 
bling.' And fo they departing, immediately after 
he was apprehended (as is mewed) and condemned 
to be burned. When this was heard among them 
of the Privy Chamber, the King, hearing them 
whifpering together (which he could never abide) 
commanded them to tell him the matter. Where- 
upon the matter being opened, and fuit made to the 
King, efpecially by the good Earl of Bedford, then 
Lord Privy Seal, the King, being fore offended with 
their doings, that they would come fo near him, and 
even into his Privy Chamber, without his know- 
ledge, fent for Wriothefley, commanding eftfoons 
to draw out his pardon himfelf, and fo was he fet at 

liberty : 



Notes. 

liberty : who, coming after to the King's prefence, 
1 Ah ! my pig' (faith the King to him, for fo he 
was wont to call him) . ' Yea,' faid he, * if your 
Majefty had not been better to me than your bifhops 
were, your pig had been roafted ere this time.' 1 " 

Fox is in error 8 when he fpeaks of Blagge as one 
of the Gentlemen of the Privy Chamber, a poft 
which he never held, and alfo in calling him at that 
time Sir George Blagge. Fox antedates Blagge's 
knighthood, an honour which was conferred on him 
in 1 547, by the Protector Duke of Somerfet, whom, 
whilft Earl of Hertford, Blagge accompanied in the 
Expedition to Scotland. 9 Blagge was knighted after 
the fight at Muflleborough, 10 and in the fame year 
he and Sir Thomas Holcroft were made Commif- 
fioners of the Mufters. 11 In 1548-9 occurred that 
tragedy wherein one Seymour, the Lord Admiral, 
fell by the warrant of his own brother, the Protector, 
Duke of Somerfet, himfelf deftined to fall under the 
fame axe. Some of the depofitions of the witnefles 
againft the Lord Admiral have long fince appeared $ 12 
thofe of the Marquis of Dorfet, the Lord RufTell, 
(Privy Seal) Sir George Blagge, and Lord Clynton, 
have only recently been brought to light. 13 Blagge's 

evidence 



8 Strype's Annals, vol. ii. pt. ii. p. 419. 

9 Surrey and Wyat, vol. ii. p. lxxxiii. 

10 Holinfhed, vol. iii. p. 888. 
u Holinfhed, vol. iii. p. 868. 

12 In Haynes' State Papers from the Burghley Collec- 
tions, belonging to the Marquis of Salifbury, at Hatfield. 

13 From the State Paper Office, by Mr. Frafer Tytler in 

his 



59 



260 



Notes. 



evidence tends to prove the criminal projects of the 
Lord Admiral. 

In 1550 died Lord Wriothefley, at whofe hands 
whilfr. Lord Chancellor, Blagge had incurred fuch 
imminent peril. His narrow efcape may account 
for, although it cannot excufe the feverity of the 
only remains of Blagge's writings j which are 
lines on the death of Wriothefley. Dr. Nott, by 
whom they were firft printed, 14 and in whofe work 
they may be found, fays that he gives them " from 
the Harington MS. more from the circumftance of 
their having been written by one of Surrey's friends 
than from any merit they pofTefs." 

On the 17th June in the following year, i55i, 15 
Sir George Blagge died at Stanmore in Middlefex, 
of which his wife Dorothy afterwards obtained a 
leafe from Q^ueen Elizabeth. 

Sir Thomas Wyat was wont to fay that he che- 
rifhed three friends in particular — " Poynings for 
the generofity of his difpofition, Blagge for his ivit, 
and Mafon for his learning." 16 In a letter from 
Lever to Afcham 17 it is faid, in allufion to his lofs, 



his " England during the reigns of Edw. VI. and Mary." 
vol. i. pp. 146, etc. 

14 Surrey and Wyat, vol. i. p. xcvi. 

15 Gage's Hiftory of Suffolk. 

16 Surrey and Wyat, vol. ii. p. lxxxiii. 

17 Strype's Cheke, p. 89. 

that 



Notes, 



that England was 
Gentle Blager™ 



punifhed, as to courtfhip, by 



18 By a ftatement in Nott's Surrey and Wyat, vol. ii. p. 
lxv. it would feem that Blagge did not die until after his 
friend Wyat's execution in 1553, as he was appointed to 
offices previoufly held by Wyat, viz. " Keeper of the King's 
MefTuage at Maidftone," and " High Steward of Maid- 
ftone." 




26l 



M M 



262 Notes, 



TABLE II. 

SHEWING THE CONNEXION BETWEEN SIDNEY 

GODOLPHIN AND THE FAMILY OF LORD 

BERKELEY OF STRATTON. 



Sir William Go- = Thomasin Sidney, 
dolphin. j 

r ' 

I 



Sir Maurice — Elizabeth, dau. of Sir 
Berkeley. | Henry Killigrew. 



Fran-: 

CIS 

Go- 
dol- 
phin. 



Sir 
Wil- 
liam 

Go- 
dol- 
phin. 



: Doro- 
thy, 
dau. of 
Charles 
Berke- 
ley, of 
Garling- 
ton. 



I I I 

Pene-^Sir Charles Sir John Berkeley, of— CHRisTiAN,dau.ofSir^ 

Berkeley, Bruton, the friend of 1 -' 

succeeded James, Duke of York, 

his son as James II. created Lord 

2nd Vis- Berkeley, of Stratton, 29 

count May, 1658, Lord Deputy of 

Fitzhar- Ireland, 16 , Ambassador 

dinge. d. to France,1675 (see p. 109), 

1688. died 1678. 



lope 
Go- 
dol- 
phin 



drew Riccard (Preside 
of the East India C01 
pany) widow of Hen;/ 
Lord Kensington, sonjini 
Henry, Earl of Hollai 
The LADY BERK 
LEY so often merit tone. 



Sid- 
ney 
Go- 
dol- 
phin, 
who 
mar- 
ried 
Mar- 
garet 
hlagge 

the 
subject 
of this 



Mau- 
rice 
Ber- 



Charles= 
Berke- 
ley, 
created 
Lord 
Berke- 
ley of 
Rath- 
downe, 
and Vis- 
count 
Fitzhar- 
dinge, 
with re- 
mainder 
to his fa- 
ther, af- 
terwards created 
Lord Bottcourt, 
and Karl of 
Falmouth. Killed 
3 June, 1665. 



ley, 
3rd 

Vis- 
count 

Fitz- 

har- 

dinge 

d. 

1690. 



—Eliza- John : 
beth, Ber- 
dau. 
of 

Her- 

vey 

Bagot, 

The 
LADY 
FAL- 
MOUTH 
See p. 

12. 
She ma: 

condly Charles 

Sackville, Earl 

of Dorset. 



KE- 


dau.of 


LEY, 


Sir 


4th 


Edw. 


Vis- 


Vil- 


count 


liers, 


Fitz- 


sister 


har- 


of the 


dinge. 


1st 




Earl of 




Jer- 




sey, d. 


ried se- 


1708. 



Bar- Charles, John, 
bara. 2nd 3rd 

Lord 
Berke- 
ley of 
Strat- 
ton, d. 



Lord 
Berke- 
ley of Berke- 



Wil- — Fr: 

LIAM, 

4th 
Lord 



Strat- 
ton, d. 



s. p. 



s. p. 



ley of 
Strat- 
ton, d. 
1741. 



dau 

Si 
Jol 
Te 
pie, 
Ea 
She 



John, 5th Lord Berk a 
lev, d. unm. 1773. 
left his chief estates- 1 
Earl Berkeley. II D 



Notes. 



263 



TABLE III. 

TO SHEW THE PATRONAGE EXTENDED TO MRS. 
GODOLPHIN BY THE DUKE OF BUCK- 
INGHAM'S FAMILY. 



udrey Sanders, dau. of William: 
Sanders. 



=Sir George Villiers, 



: Mary Beaumont, created Coun- 
tess of Buckingham, 1675. 



(Sir 

if ILLIAM WARD VlL- 
li VlL- LIERS, d. 

JLIERS. 7 Sept. 

1626. 



,VlL- : 
,IAM 

VlL- 
JERS, 

2nd 

Vis- 
ount 
Jran- 

ison. 



Sir Ed- —.Barbara St. 

John, niece 

of the 1st 

Viscount 

Grand ison. 



: Mary, James 
dau. of How- 
Paul, 
Vis- 
count 
Bay- 
ning. 



ard, 
3rd 
Earl of 
Suf- 
folk. 



Barbara 

VlL- 



Philip, 

son of 

Philip, 

Viscount 

Wen- 
man, d. 
13 Dec. 
1681. The 
COUN- 
TESS of 

SUF- 
FOLK, 
see p. 



ARBARA VlLLIERS.wifeof 

Loger Palmer, Earl of 
astlemaine, and created 
Duchess of Cleveland. 



George — 
Villi ers, 
1st Duke of 
Bucking- 



Lady 
Catha- 
rine 
Man- 
ners. 



William : 
Fielding, 
first Earl of 
Denbigh. 



: MARyVlLLIERS,wh« 

erected a splendid 
monument at Ports- 
mouth to her bro- 
ther's memory. 



George 
Vil- 

LIERS, 

2nd 
Duke of 
Bucking- 
ham, who 
was ac- 
compa- 
nied in 
his escape 
after the 
battle of 
Worces- 
ter in 
1651, by 
Colonel 
Blagge. 



I 
Mary 
Vil- 

LIERS,m. 
James, 
4th Duke 
of Len- 
nox, and 
3rd Duke 
of Rich- 
mond, 
called in 
V.8,'The 

OLD 
DUCH- 
ESS OF 
RICH- 
MOND,' 



placed 
Mrs. Godolphin un- 
der the care of the 
Countess of Guild- 
ford. 



Mary 
Field- 
ing, m. 
James, 
Duke of 
Hamil- 
ton, be- 
headed 
in 1649, 
bywhom 
she had 
Anne, 
Duchess 
of Ham- 
ilton, in 
her own 
right. 



Anne 
Field- 
ing, first 
wife of 
Baptist 
Noel, 
3rd Vis- 
count 
Camp- 
den. She 
died 24 
March, 



Lewis —Eliza- 
Boyle 



Vis 
count 
Kenel- 
mea- 
ky, 
2nd 
son of 
Rich- 
ard, 
Earl of 
Cork. 



Field- 
ing, 
created 
COUN- 
TESS of 
GUIL- 
FORD 
for life, 
14 July, 
1660: 
under 
whose 
care Mrs. Godol- 
phin was placed 
by the Duchess 
of Richmond, 
see p. 8. 



264 



Notes, 



TABLE IV. 

SHEWING THE DESCENT AND CONNEXIONS 
OF LADY SYLVIUS. 



Thomas Howard, first Earl of Berkshire, 2nd== 
8on of Thomas, Earl of Suffolk, d. 1669. { 



Elizabeth Cecil, dan. and co-heir of Willia: 
Earl of Exeter. 



j , 

I 1. I 2. 

Charles Thomas 

Howard, Howard, 

2nd Earl 3rd Earl 

of Berk- of Berk- 
sh. d. sh. d. 

1679. 1706. 



I 3. 
Hen- 
ry 
How- 
ard, 
d. 



I 4. 
Wil- — Elizabeth, 
dau. of Lord 
Dundas, the 

mother of 

Lady Sylvius. 

see p. 27. 



liam 
How- 
ard. 



Edward 
Howard. 



Sir Robert Ho- 
ward, Auditor of 
the Exchequer, 
&c. the well- 
known author, 
lived at Ashted, 
near Epsom. 



Philip; 

Howard 

James 

Howard.! 

Algernon 
Howard, A 



Anne : 
Ogle, 
(first 
wife), 
maid of 
honour 
to Queen 
Catha- 
rine. 



I 
; Cra- 
ven 
Ho- 
ward. 



Mary 



Col. =— Dorothy 



(second 
wife), 

dau. of 

George, 
B. of 

Elford. 



James 
Graham, 
of Le- 
vens, 
Privy 
Purse to 
James, 



Howard, 
maid of 
honour. 

The sister 
of Lady 
Silvius. 
See pp. 



D.of , 27,30,61 
Vnrk. 1 127. 



York. 



Sir Gabribl.- 

Sylvids, 

Hoffmaester 

to the Prince 

of Orange : 

Envoy to 

Brunswick in 

Feb. 1679-80, 

and Envoy 

Extr. to 
Denmark in 
June 1685. 



Anne Howard, Henry Bow: 
ob. innupt. Howard, 4th 
Earl of Berk 
shire 



rf 



atherine Graham. 



: Anne Howard, maid o 
honour to Queen Catha 
rine, m. 13 Nov. 1677, as 
Henry VII.'s Chapel, b]< 
the Dean of Westminster 
Dr. John Dolben, then Bij 
shop of Rochester, aftet 1 
wards Archbp. of York; 
See an account of her mar 
riage in Evelyn, ii. 436 
The LADY SYLVIUS t 
whom this work is dedicated 



Notes, 



265 



TABLE V. 

SHEWING THE CONNEXION BETWEEN THE 
FAMILIES OF GODOLPHIN, EVELYN, 
AND HARCOURT. 



[r Francis— Dorothy, dau.of JOHN EVE- — : Mary, dau. Sir Philip— =Anne, dau. of Sir 



ODOLPHIN, 

K.B. 



Sir Charles Berke- LYN, d. 1705, 
ley, of Yarling- aet. 85. 
ton. 



iidney Godol— = MARGA 
Fhin, Earl of T RET 
i Godolphin, BLAGGE, 
.jK.G. d. 1712. d. 1678. 



Edward— Jane 
Bosca- "Godol- 



of Sir Ri- 
chard 
Browne. 



Harcourt, 
d. 1688. 



William Waller, 
of Osterley Park, 
A. 1614. 



John Eve— Martha Simon, Vis— Rebecca 



wen, d. 
1685. 



PHIN, 

d. 1730. 



:.VN,ob.in 
v. p 



Spen 

CER, d 

1726. 



count Har- 
court, Lord 
High Chan- 
cellor, d. 
1727. 



dau. of 
Thomas 
Clark. 



I 

(PANCIS GO-: 
DOLPHIN, 

ijnd Earl of 
odolphin, 
d. 1766. 



Hugh 

Bosca- 



iHENRIETTA 

Churchill. 

Duchess of wen, Vis- 

Marlbo- count Fal- 

rough, d. mouth, d. 

1733. 1734. 



! I I I 

:Charlotte God- Anne — Sir John Eliza-, Hon. Si- 

frey, (niece of Bosca- - "" 

the Duke of wen, 
Marlborough), d. 1751. 
maid of honor to 
Queen Anne, d. 
1754. 



Evelyn, beth 
Bart. d. Eye- 
1763. lyn, d. 
1760. 



MON 

Har- 
court, 
d. 1720. 
in v. p. 



LLIAM 
»ODOL- 
PHIN, 

[arquis 
Bland- 

•>rd, d. 
1731. 



Thomas^Mary Mary. 
Osborne, 
4th Duke 
of Leeds, 

d. 1789. 



Go- 


Bosca- ~r 


dol- 


WEN, d. 


phin, 


1749. 


died 




1764. 


1 



.Sir John 

"Evelyn, 

Bart. d. 

1767. 



I I 

Simon,— Rebecca George Ven-^Martha 

W- 17. .,,1 I r. T> . ,-,. . -n* VJC \T*?n I_I . r. 



1st Earl 

Har- 
court, d 
1777. 



Le Bass 
d. 1765 



ables Ver- 
non, Lord 
Vernon, d. 
1780. 



Har- 
court, 
d. 1794. 



RANCIS G. 
tSBORNE, 

ith Duke 
If Leeds. 

te Table I. 



Sir Frederic William 

Evelyn, mar- Harcourt, 

ried Mary 3rd Earl 

Turton, d, s. Harcourt, 

p. 1812. ob. s. p. 



George SimoNz^Elizabeth, Edward— anne Leveson 
Harcourt, 2nd dau. of Geo. Vena- | Gower, dau. 
Earl Harcourt, Lord Ver- blesVer- of Granville, 
ob. s. p. 1809. non, m. non Har- Marquis of 
1765. court, Abp. Stafford, 
of York. I 

See Preface. 



& Jr 







PRINTED BY C. WHITTINGHAM, CHISWICK. 



^y^On/.n 



